Vigil Celebrates Life, Memory of Wesley Swilling

Dozens of friends, family and others touched over the years by Mauldin's Wesley Skilling gathered in Springfield Park Sunday afternoon to remember, through tears and laughter, the deep impact he left on them.

after he allegedly confronted and threatened a Greenville County Sheriff's deputy and a Greenville police officer in the LEC's parking lot.

During the late-night confrontation, the officers said they believed Swilling was approaching them armed with a gun and with malicious intent.

That weapon, however, turned out to be a harmless, modified glue gun. Swilling was shot seven times in the confusion.

Friends and family alluded to Swilling's personal problems and internal demons on Sunday, but preferred instead to concentrate on the man they remembered as a great athlete from Mauldin High, a loving and harmless man who relished his relationships with family and friends, and a man who poured his heart into writing and producing often intensely personal music and poetry.

After listening to heartfelt recollections of Swilling, the 60 or so people who gathered lit candles in his honor before dispersing.

Check back with Patch later for more on Swilling's memorial vigil, and remembrances from those who knew and loved him.