On a quiet morning in Greenville, South Carolina, a dispute between neighbors over a parked truck escalated into a fatal encounter. Thomas Wilkes Satterfield, a 58-year-old White man, was shot and killed on February 18, 2021, during a confrontation with his neighbor, James Signor. The incident, which unfolded on Del Norte Lane, cut short the life of a man known for his generous spirit and dedication to his community.
The conflict began when Signor, armed with a concealed.
45 caliber handgun, confronted Satterfield about the position of his truck. The argument intensified, culminating in Signor fatally shooting Satterfield. Emergency services were called to the scene, and Satterfield was transported to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, but he ultimately succumbed to his injuries during surgery. The coroner later ruled his death a homicide.
In the immediate aftermath, Signor admitted to law enforcement that he had shot Satterfield. Despite this admission, he was not immediately taken into custody. The Greenville County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation into the shooting. Following their inquiry, the case was deemed 'exceptionally cleared – No Prosecution,' and no criminal charges were filed against James Signor. The authorities did, however, leave open the possibility of re-evaluating the case if new information came to light.
While no criminal proceedings were pursued, the family of Thomas Wilkes Satterfield sought recourse through the civil courts, filing a wrongful death lawsuit against James Signor. During the deposition for this civil suit, Signor repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned about the specifics of the altercation and the shooting. The lawsuit also brought to light allegations from other neighbors who claimed to have been threatened by Signor with a firearm in the past over minor disputes.
