Mount Pleasant police are investigating vandalism at the memorial statue of Captain Wayne Magwood after someone removed the shrimp portion of the monument over the weekend.

Magwood’s daughter reported the incident to police and said the family wants answers about who damaged the memorial honoring the late shrimp boat captain.

“We just want to know why someone would do this to my father’s memorial,” she said.

The statue, located in Mount Pleasant’s waterfront area, depicts Magwood with shrimp netting—a tribute to his decades working Charleston’s waters as a commercial fisherman. The vandalism specifically targeted the shrimp element of the sculpture, leaving the rest of the monument intact.

Mount Pleasant Police Department confirmed they received a report about the vandalism but declined to provide details about potential suspects or investigative leads. No arrests have been made.

Captain Wayne Magwood spent his career working the waters around Charleston Harbor and became a well-known figure in the local shrimping industry. His family and community supporters raised funds for the memorial following his death, with the statue unveiled in a ceremony attended by dozens of local residents and fellow fishermen.

The vandalism comes as Mount Pleasant grapples with other municipal challenges, including ongoing debates over waterfront development and infrastructure projects. The town council recently allocated additional funding for public safety measures, though those discussions focused primarily on traffic enforcement and emergency response capabilities.

Local shrimping families expressed frustration with the vandalism, calling it disrespectful to Magwood’s legacy and the broader commercial fishing community that has operated in Charleston waters for generations.

“Captain Magwood represented the best of our industry,” said Tommy Bennett, a longtime local fisherman. “This kind of senseless act hurts the whole community.”

The damaged memorial sits near other public art installations that celebrate Mount Pleasant’s maritime heritage. Town officials have not announced whether additional security measures will be implemented to protect public monuments from future vandalism.

Mount Pleasant’s public works department is assessing the cost and timeline for repairing the statue. The town has not indicated whether insurance will cover the restoration or if community fundraising efforts will be necessary.

Similar incidents involving public monuments have occurred sporadically across the Charleston area in recent years, though most have targeted historical markers rather than contemporary memorials. Law enforcement agencies typically treat such cases as property damage violations, which can carry fines and potential jail time depending on the extent of damage.

The Magwood family said they hope someone with information about the incident will contact police. Mount Pleasant officers are reviewing any available surveillance footage from nearby businesses and public areas.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact Mount Pleasant Police Department at (843) 884-4176. The investigation remains active, and police said they are pursuing multiple leads in the case.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions over public memorials and their place in community spaces, though the Magwood statue has not been the subject of previous controversy. Unlike some historical monuments that have drawn criticism for their subjects or origins, the Magwood memorial was established recently with broad community support.

Repair work on the statue could begin within the next two weeks, according to preliminary assessments. The family said they remain committed to maintaining the memorial as a tribute to Captain Magwood’s contributions to Charleston’s maritime community and his role in preserving local fishing traditions.

Mount Pleasant officials said they will continue monitoring the situation and working with police to ensure the investigation proceeds thoroughly. The town has dealt with various politics and government issues this year, including budget discussions and development approvals, but vandalism of public property remains relatively uncommon in the area.