In the early evening of March 2, 1979, a male Charleston Police Department officer, Patrolman Charles Snider, approached a man suspected of shoplifting earrings and hair grease from a King Street store. The encounter took place in a George Street parking lot behind the Gloria Theater. What began as a routine attempt to apprehend a suspect for a minor theft quickly escalated into a fatal confrontation.
During the attempt to arrest the suspect, a struggle ensued.
The suspect managed to overpower Patrolman Snider, wrestling his service revolver away from him. With the officer's own weapon in hand, the suspect fired at point-blank range, striking Snider in the head and right leg. The suspect, along with two companions, then fled the scene, taking the pistol with them. Patrolman Snider, a 13-year veteran of the police force and a U.S. Air Force veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, died from his injuries. He was survived by his wife and five children.
A massive 27-hour manhunt was launched by law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of three subjects. Following the arrests, one of the suspects pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. On April 4, 1980, this individual was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of Patrolman Charles Snider.
