Horry County Councilman Bob Grabowski dies Tuesday of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound

Horry County Councilman Bob Grabowksi died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Tuesday at PTR Industries, where he was purchasing manager, according to Horry County Police.

Detectives with Horry County’s Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Investigations, along with the coroner’s office, responded to PTR Industries around 5:24 p.m. Officers found Grabowski in an open field at the rear of the business, according to Capt. Dale Buchanan, commander of the Criminal Investigations Division.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday morning at Grand Strand Hospital, Buchanan said.

Buchanan said police are still investigating the incident but believe the wound was self-inflicted.

Police do not usually release names of suicide victims, but “due to Mr. Grabowski being a public figure in county government we have determined to do so in this case,” Buchanan said.

PTR Industries, located on Cool Springs Drive in Aynor, relocated to Horry County from Connecticut in January 2014. The business manufactures firearms and produced 1,000 South Carolina commemorative firearms in July, each stamped with an outline of the state with a Palmetto tree and crescent moon inside it.

Grabowski, 55, served on council for more than 10 years representing the Socastee and surrounding area. The former Socastee Recreation Park Commissioner had a wife, two daughters and one son. Grabowski served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 10 years and was a former air traffic controller.

Danny Knight, former county administrator, said he was surprised by the news.

“It’s a shock,” Knight said. “I’m just bewildered on what in the world could have happened.”

Knight said he went with a team of county employees and elected officials, including Grabowski, to hurricane preparedness training and really had a chance to see how hard he worked.

“He was a good guy to work with and for, and to be around,” Knight said. “He was always a part of the team. He didn’t have to be that way about it. He was just always involved.”

Horry County Council released a statement late Tuesday expressing each councilmember’s sympathy for Grabowski’s family.

“We are certain that his care and concern for the good people of District 6 and the entire county will be remembered for many years to come,” the statement said. “On behalf of the Horry County Council, we offer deep sympathies and assurance of prayers for his family, the people of District 6 and all who mourn his loss.”

Al Jordan, president of the Greater Burgess Community Association, said Grabowski joined the community’s inaugural clean-up day two years ago, which is reflective of how he got involved in his community.

“When I think of Bob, I really do think about public safety, especially the police and his interest in that,” Jordan said. “He was always fine and cooperative and supportive.”

Knight said Grabowski had a way about him that allowed people to know where they stood.

“He was very persistent. He hung tight with what he believed and he’d hold to the dear end and he wasn’t ever bitter about it... Bob never was.”

Staff reporters Kenneth Gailliard and Maya T. Prabhu contributed to this report.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Horry County Councilman Bob Grabowski dies Tuesday of apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound."