Frustration over lack of information in Johnathan Cherol death investigation
More than two weeks after Johnathan Cherol was found shot to death in his 39 Pinecrest Way home, the Bluffton Police Department remains tight-lipped about what it now says was a "targeted attack."
In a news release Thursday, department spokeswoman Joy Nelson said the homicide was not a random act of violence and that investigators came to that conclusion after a series of interviews and through following leads.
When asked for specific reasons investigators believe the attack was targeted, where Cherol was shot in the home, if the murder weapon has been found and if Cherol knew his attacker, Nelson declined to answer Friday.
"I can let you know that we aren't releasing any more information than what was in the release yesterday due to this being an ongoing investigation," she wrote in an email. " ... As for any other details, we aren't releasing at this time."
Asked by an Island Packet reporter to help set up an interview on the investigation with Police Chief Joey Reynolds on Friday, Nelson said the chief was out of town Friday.
The lack of details about the progress of the investigation is fueling frustration on social media.
Some lashed out at the police department.
"I have hope for, but absolutely zero faith in this investigation," one of them wrote.
"It took all of this time to come up with that?" another wrote. "Well, it is not like we have killers running around Bluffton shooting people randomly. When something like this happens, it is definitely a 'TARGETED ATTACK.'"
Some defended the police.
"If you're not willing to devote your time and career, potentially putting your lives at risk, to deal with criminals and scum, you have no business sitting online and criticizing the people that do," the commenter wrote.
Recordings of any 911 calls that reported the shooting have been requested by The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. The request, made Friday morning, is covered under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act because 911 calls are public record.
Cherol, 33, was found dead of a single gunshot wound at his home around 12:45 a.m. Oct. 28 after police were called to the residence, Lt. Joseph Babkiewicz said in an earlier news release.
Cherol was involved in the local restaurant scene and co-owner of the recently closed Pepper's Old Town in Bluffton.
The May River Road restaurant had opened in early 2015 as a revamp of the original Pepper's Porch, replacing another restaurant that was also co-owned by Cherol, called Jack's Old Town.
Follow Caitlin Turner on Twitter at twitter.com/Cait_E_Turner.
Related Content:
- Bluffton police interview Johnathan Cherol's associates, Nov. 3, 2015
- Slaying of restaurateur Johnathan Cherol leaves a community in shock, Oct. 28, 2015
- Police following 'many leads' in Cherol's death, Oct. 29, 2015
This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 8:24 AM with the headline "Frustration over lack of information in Johnathan Cherol death investigation."