Grieving father, pastor recounts struggles since son’s violent death

Citadel graduate and local accountant Brian Eliot Holmes died July 18, 2011 in violence on Charleston’s East Side. On Tuesday his father recounted his struggles as a pastor and grieving parent since that tragedy.

“Tomorrow is the one year anniversary of Brian’s death. We miss him, all of us in very different ways. Sadness is the order of the day because we would like more time with him,” the Rev. Sonny Holmes wrote on his blog. He is lead pastor of Northwood Baptist Church in North Charleston.

“We will visit his grave, perhaps recount our favorite Brian stories, maybe even look through the picture drawer. More than anything, though, we want to thank God for him and for the many ways he blessed our lives,” Holmes wrote.

The pastor could not immediately be reached for additional comment.

On his blog last Friday, he asked for prayers that the Charleston County Solicitor’s Office will offer a plea agreement to Jerell Emmanuel Risher, the man charged with killing his son. Holmes also asks for prayer that Risher will accept the deal.

Risher, 21 at the time of the crime, has been indicted for murder and possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime. Since his arrest, he has been jailed without bond. No plea deal has been offered to him at this point. If the case does go to trial, it would not be until next year, said Chad Simpson, who is prosecuting the case.

Read more in Wednesday’s editions of The Post and Courier.