The family of Anthony Richard Potter, 43, of Williamston, South Carolina, is mourning his death following an incident involving law enforcement deputies at an Interstate 85 rest area in Anderson County.
While authorities have confirmed that Potter died by suicide, his sister, Tina Snider, is asking the public to remember the person behind the headlines: a brother, a retired and disabled Army veteran, and a man who faced years of serious mental health challenges.
What Happened at the I-85 Rest Area?
According to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore, deputies responded to a welfare check at approximately 11:15 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the I-85 rest area near mile marker 23.
Preliminary information indicated that Potter had allegedly made threats toward others, prompting the welfare check. When deputies arrived and attempted to contact him, a gunshot was fired from inside his vehicle.
One deputy returned fire, but authorities said the deputy’s gunfire did not strike Potter. The Anderson County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Potter died from a gunshot wound and officially ruled his manner of death a suicide.
His Sister’s Message: Remember the Man, Not Just the Incident
Following news of his death, Potter’s sister, Tina Snider, shared an emotional tribute asking people not to define her brother solely by the circumstances of his final moments.
She described Tony as a retired, disabled Army veteran who had been discharged following traumatic head injuries. According to her account, he had experienced homelessness for many years and lived with schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Snider also offered her family’s perspective on the events leading up to his death. She said Potter became frightened during the welfare check and attempted to drive away, but deputies blocked his vehicle. She expressed her belief that the situation escalated amid confusion about what had happened inside the vehicle.
Her message was also a plea for compassion toward people living with mental illness and for respect for the family as they grieve.
A Family Grieving a Brother and Veteran
For Snider and the rest of the Potter family, Anthony was not simply a name in a police report. He was a brother they loved and a person whose life included experiences and struggles that cannot be captured by a single headline.
His family’s account highlights the challenges he faced, including the effects of traumatic brain injuries, homelessness and long-term mental health conditions.
His death has also renewed attention to the difficulties faced by veterans and others living with serious mental health conditions, particularly those experiencing housing insecurity.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
The incident remains under investigation by the Anderson County Coroner’s Office, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
As investigators work to establish the full circumstances, the family’s account and the preliminary information released by authorities remain important perspectives in understanding the events.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Tina Snider, the entire Potter family, his friends, fellow veterans and everyone mourning his loss.
May Anthony “Tony” Potter be remembered with compassion, and may his loved ones find strength and comfort during this devastating time.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress in the United States, call or text 988 for free, confidential support.
