Tega Cay Council Censures Member Over Controversial Rittenhouse Post

TEGA CAY, S.C. — The Tega Cay City Council voted unanimously Monday to censure Council Member Scott Shirley following a controversial social media post that referenced Kyle Rittenhouse. The vote came during the council’s regular meeting amid growing community concern over Shirley’s remarks.

The post in question was a reaction to an incident at a 7-Eleven in nearby Fort Mill, in which Shirley commented, “Looks like a job for Kyle Rittenhouse.” Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges related to the 2020 fatal shootings of two men and the wounding of another during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, ignited by the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

During the meeting, several residents expressed their concerns regarding Shirley’s comment. One community member remarked, “Invoking his name in response to a petty crime is inflammatory and dangerous.” Another resident directly addressed Shirley, stating, “Outraged by your blatant violent, online rhetoric. You have publicly undermined our first responders in this community.”

The council’s censure serves as an official disapproval of Shirley’s actions, which officials characterized as disruptive and offensive. Councilmember Brian Carter articulated the rationale behind the censure, saying, “I understand that freedom of speech, everyone has that. That’s protected by the First Amendment, but that does not provide you immunity from the repercussions of saying such comments like that.”

Shirley defended his statement during the discussion, asserting that it had been misunderstood. “I was advocating for the owners to defend their rights to their livelihoods, their property and their rights,” he explained. “Yeah, I could’ve said it differently and probably should have, but in no way was I advocating violence.”

Despite his defense, the council moved forward with the censure, which is largely symbolic and does not remove Shirley from his position. He is set to serve on the Tega Cay City Council until 2026.

City officials have not indicated whether further actions or policy changes may occur following the censure.