It's a war of words between the Florence Mayor Stephen Wukela and Florence City Councilman Ed Robinson, over the investigation of an officer-involved shooting.
Wukela is outraged that Robinson wants the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the shooting of a suspect by one of his officers. Yesterday Robinson held a news conference saying that having the State Law Enforcement Division investigate isn't enough.
Wukela says Robinson is using the shooting to score political points, in what looks to be a tight election year for him. Wukela says it is standard protocol that SLED investigate officer-involved shootings.
Last week, a Florence Police officer shot Antoine James three times, as the officer said James was trying to run him over.
Wukela says Robinson is desperate to revive his political career. "I don't think there's any question that Councilman Robinson is in desperate political situation and his actions, and these increasing attacks I think are evidence of that."
Robinson says the mayor's attacks against him are personal. "Now he's initiating this fight. Now, why he wants to fight me I don't know, but if he wants to fight me, I'm going to fight him back."
It could be a while before state police finish their investigation into the shooting.
We're still waiting to learn if the US Justice Department will get involved.
In the meantime, the officer who shot the suspect is on administrative leave with pay.
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