Spartanburg Water, law enforcement reflect on 'senseless' Cleveland Park standoff

Bob Montgomery, Herald-Journal
·2 min read

In the aftermath of the July 1, 2021, standoff on Amelia Drive, Spartanburg Water formed a task force to identify what could improve worker safety at job sites.

In addition to hiring a new safety manager, the water system has acquired bleeding control kits to be placed in vehicles, and panic buttons to be worn by employees. Training sessions are also being planned for employees in all departments, spokeswoman Jennifer Candler said.

Two separate shootings during a three-hour standoff left two dead. Two Spartanburg Water employees were among the four injured.

Spartanburg standoff: FOIA documents reveal tension, fear, heroism in 2021 incident

"The events that transpired on July 1, 2021, were difficult for our Spartanburg Water family," spokeswoman Jennifer Candler said. "The safety of our team members has always been our priority and will remain at the forefront of all we do in every area of our organization."

It could not be determined if the two employees who were injured are back at work.

"Unfortunately at this time we will not be commenting on any personnel matters related to this event," Candler said.

Announcing the end of the standoff on July 1, 2021, were Spartanburg Police Maj. Art Littlejohn, left, and Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright. Two Spartanburg Water employees were shot while making sewer line repairs near Cleveland Park Drive and Amelia Street in Spartanburg. A Spartanburg County Sheriff's deputy was also shot, but the deputy's condition was not life-threatening.

Sheriff Chuck Wright recently said he doesn't know what triggered Smith on July 1.

"He just had it in his mind people were after him," Wright said. "He shot the water company people, then goes in and kills the poor cable guy. Anytime you've got people harmed and people killed, it's awful. I wish we could have ended it peacefully.

"I'm very proud of our SWAT team. They were taking fire. They didn't back up an inch. They knew if they hadn't done that, (Smith's) mama would have been dead. We were hoping and praying to save the cable guy, but he passed before we got in the house."

A sheriff's spokesman recently said Hancock has not yet returned to work.

Records show the house at 225 Amelia St. is owned by JSA Investments LLC of Bullington Road, Spartanburg, a company registered by agent Jeffrey Shippy of Agent Pros Realty, Reidville Road, Spartanburg.

Since last year, the bullet-riddled house has had new exterior siding installed. Shippy declined to say whether there are plans to fully restore the house to accommodate future residents.

The home at 225 Amelia St. near Cleveland Park in Spartanburg was riddled with bullets during a standoff July 1, 2021. This is how the house looks today, with new siding.
The home at 225 Amelia St. near Cleveland Park in Spartanburg was riddled with bullets during a standoff July 1, 2021. This is how the house looks today, with new siding.

Spartanburg Police Chief Alonzo Thompson recently said that last year's standoff is still fresh in officers' minds. He said he still doesn't know what provoked Smith that day.

"As we reflect on the anniversary of the violent Cleveland Park incident from July 2021, we continue to think of the senseless and unnecessary loss of lives," he said in a statement provided to the Herald-Journal.

"The Spartanburg Police Department extends our continued prayers for the families of those who suffered the loss of loved ones and those who sustained injuries.  As a community, we must continue to work to reduce gun violence and create safer environments.”

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Spartanburg sheriff, water reflect on 2021 Cleveland Park standoff