Police seek motive in Summerville murder

Police are still searching for a reason why a Summerville man was gunned down outside his home late Wednesday.

As news of 36-year-old John Elliot Hancock’s murder spread Thursday, some speculated whether he was the gunman’s target, or was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Family members said they had heard rumors that someone may have been after Hancock’s nephew, who authorities have not identified.

Summerville Police Capt. Jon Rogers would not comment on whether there may be any truth in the speculation.

“It is far too early in the investigation to release any possible motives we are looking into,” Rogers said.

Hancock, his nephew and his nephew’s girlfriend sat talking in a parked car outside his Lilac Street home in the Robynwyn subdivision the night of the shooting.

A car drove by the home about 11:50 p.m., and shots were fired.

Witnesses described seeing a mid-size, four-door brown or silver sedan speed away from the area. The vehicle had several people inside, Rogers said.

Hancock was struck multiple times and was the only person hit. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“It is very interesting to me that he was the only one hit, being that (Summerville police) recovered dozens of shell casings,” Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet said Thursday.

Hancock was convicted on a drug-possession charge in 2010, but had no run-ins with the law near the time of his death.

Reach Christina Elmore at 937-5908.