Family of Travis Draper Calls for SLED Investigation

The family of Travis Antonio Draper, the 41-year-old black man shot and killed last month in his car on Highway 295 in Spartanburg, have called on the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to investigate the August 5 shooting and answer growing calls for transparency by releasing surveillance video of the incident.

“It’s unimaginable not only that a man can be shot and killed and his killer can drive away without so much as a charge for leaving the scene of an accident,” said Bakari Sellers, an attorney with The Strom Law Firm representing Draper’s family. “On top of that, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office won’t even identify the shooter or release the surveillance video.”

“No one was protecting Mr. Draper on August 5th. He died alone on Highway 295. But, for some reason, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office is intent on protecting his killer.”

On Thursday, Sellers notified the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor Barry Barnette of the family’s concerns and officially requested that the investigation and all relevant files be turned over to SLED including the surveillance video.

“This family deserves answers,” Sellers explained. “We’re going to make sure they get them.”

Official letter sent to Seventh Judicial Circuit Solicitor and Spartanburg County Sheriff:

Re: Investigation into the killing of Travis Antonio Draper

Dear Sir or Madame,

I am writing on behalf of the family of Travis Antonio Draper. Mr. Draper’s family is extremely disappointed with the investigation into Mr. Draper’s killing, and finds it unconscionable that the gentleman identified as the shooter was not charged with any crimes, despite fleeing the scene of the accident and failing to immediately notify emergency services of the incident, leaving Mr. Draper to die alone in his car.

Mr. Draper’s family is discouraged by the lack of scrutiny given to this case, as well as the multiple inconsistencies that have arisen from it. Moreover, the family craves transparency in this investigation. Accordingly, the Mr. Draper’s family asks that the investigation and all relevant files be turned over to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Additionally, because your Offices have closed this case, please let this letter serve as a notice under FOIA that Mr. Draper’s family will be seeking the disclosure of all records, recordings, and information compiled in the investigation of this case.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Bakari T. Sellers, STROM LAW FIRM, LLC