In Officer Jamal Medlin’s report about the events leading up to the tragic death of Denzel Curnell on the night of June 20, the Charleston police officer noted that he “observed a male figure, wearing all black with a hoodie pulled over his head, walking across the [Bridgeview apartment complex] at a brisk pace…” Medlin then noted that he “found it odd due to the fact the [sic] that it was approximately 85 degrees, and the male figure was wearing long sleeves, long pants, and a hoodie over his head.” For the officer, this was all the information he needed to determine that the 19-year-old Curnell was a suspicious figure. Both Mayor Joe Riley and Police Chief Greg Mullen applauded Medlin’s actions.
If that’s the case, then I wonder what Mullen and Riley would make of the man I just saw. Even though it’s a sweltering 94 degrees out and the sun is blazing, this man was wearing long khaki pants and he had a hoodie pulled over his head. And get this: He was walking across the Ravenel Bridge at a brisk pace. Even more shocking, he was wearing a fisherman’s cap on top of his lime-green hoodie.
So I did what any other citizen would do: I called the Charleston Police Department to let them know that I had spotted this man.
Now, I don’t know what the man is up to. It’s not my place to know. I just wanted the CPD to be aware that an individual was wearing a hoodie in this dreadful heat since that sort of thing seems to arouse their suspicions.
If the CPD does send an officer his way, I hope they show better judgment than they did the night of June 20.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.