Resident tells council a handgun was stolen at Greenville gun show; asks for mandated security
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A Greenville resident described a theft of a legally purchased handgun at an August gun show at the Greenville Convention Center, said police later apprehended a juvenile suspect and asked the council to consider mandating physical security at future gun shows.
During the public comment period on Nov. 10, resident Coral Witcher (the transcript also records the surname as 'Widger') told the Greenville City Council that on Aug. 17 a thief seized a legally purchased handgun and accessories from her husband while they were leaving the gun show at the Greenville Convention Center.
Witcher said she called 911, identified an alleged getaway vehicle from a bystander’s photograph, and that Officer Staton later responded. She said police ultimately apprehended a juvenile suspect and the seized merchandise was held in evidence for several weeks before being returned to the owner. "Luckily ... we were not physically harmed," Witcher said.
Witcher asked the council what could be done to "correct the serious breach in public safety by mandating physical security at gun shows," citing concerns about gang activity and prior seizures by a multi‑agency gang task force. Mayor PJ Connolly said staff could discuss security protocols with the convention center; the council did not adopt an ordinance or regulation during the meeting.
Mayor and council thanked the speakers and the police for their work; no formal council action or referral was recorded in the meeting minutes as a direct result of the comment.