A Sheriff’s Office report from the time of the incident said it happened while voters were casting ballots in the June 9 Democratic primary.
Rivers’ attorney, Seth Rose, an attorney for Rivers, said in a statement published by WIS TV news, “Representative Rivers is asserting his innocence to this accusation levied against him by a political opponent. Michael has served admirably in the State Legislature and he is a retired member United States military. He has been an upstanding citizen for nearly seven decades. We ask for the public to withhold judgment until the facts come to light and this matter is resolved in a Court of law.”
Rivers lost his primary election to Shannon DeLoach.
Rivers’ SC House on-line biography says he is a minister and is retired from the United States Air Force. He is a native of Baltimore, and he received a technical certificate from DeVry Institute in 1980, a Technical College of the Lowcountry, CAD and Drafting certificate in 2003, and a bachelor of science degree from Claflin University in 2008. He is single with three children and two grandchildren.
His memberships include the Beaufort County Ministerial Alliance and the NAACP.
His military service was from 1976 to 1978.
His House profile lists an address as a post office box on St. Helena Island. He has served in the SC House since 2016, and was a Beaufort County School Board member, 1998 - 2016. His committee assignments in the House are education and public works, and government efficiency and legislative oversight.
This is the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office report from June 18, 2026:
Green Pond, SC — On June 9, 2026, at approximately 1:46 PM while voters were casting their ballots at the Green Pond Community Center, in Green Pond, South Carolina, the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office became aware of an alleged altercation that occurred involving a sitting State Representative, Michael F. Rivers.
When Deputies arrived at the location, State Representative Rivers was no longer at the location and left in a vehicle prior to their arrival.
After receiving information alleging that a firearm was displayed during the altercation, the Sheriff’s Office notified the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Due to the involvement of a sitting State Representative, the investigation has been deferred to SLED.
Additional information will be released as it becomes available and in accordance with the ongoing investigation.
