News Summary
Jaesean Jeffrey Redd and Kionna Michele Ferguson have pleaded guilty to charges related to the murder of Trey Blackshear, an 18-year-old soccer player from Hilton Head Island. The suspects received five years of probation, with Redd under monitored house arrest. The case garnered significant attention in the community following the tragic shooting in December 2019, which left Blackshear dead and raised questions regarding the judicial process as new evidence came to light. The community continues to seek justice as they mourn the loss of a promising young talent.
Hilton Head Island
Two Beaufort residents, Jaesean Jeffrey Redd, 26, and Kionna Michele Ferguson, 25, have pleaded guilty to charges of assisting in the murder of Trey Blackshear, an 18-year-old standout soccer player at Hilton Head Island High School, who was shot and killed in December 2019. Approximately seven months after their criminal charges were refiled, both suspects were sentenced to five years of probation, with Redd being placed under monitored house arrest.
On December 23, 2019, Trey Blackshear was sitting in his car with a friend outside Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Bluffton when the shooting occurred. Two gunmen entered Blackshear’s vehicle with the intent to rob him. Tragically, the 18-year-old was fatally shot in the head and shoulder during the incident. Ferguson drove Redd and the suspected shooters away from the crime scene in her 2001 Toyota Camry, assisting in their escape.
In a significant development, charges against Redd and Ferguson were refiled in late 2024 after an investigation initiated in March 2021 had previously resulted in insufficient evidence to proceed. The reopening of the case followed the discovery of new evidence that linked them to the crime.
Plea Deal and Sentencing
Redd and Ferguson’s guilty pleas have resulted in suspended sentences, ensuring they will avoid prison time if they meet court conditions. Redd was ordered to serve monitored house arrest during the probation period, while both received stipulations that could allow for the transfer of their probation to Pickens County, where they have alternate addresses.
Initially facing potential prison terms of 15 years for Redd and 10 years for Ferguson, those sentences will remain suspended unless the conditions of their probation are violated. Their cooperation and the nature of the plea deal have played a crucial role in determining their sentences.
Context of the Case
The murder of Trey Blackshear shocked the Hilton Head Island community. Known for his dedication to soccer and academics, Blackshear graduated early from high school with high honors. He had aspirations of playing collegiate soccer on a scholarship and pursuing a degree in business administration. His untimely death not only robbed the sport of a promising talent but also left a void in the hearts of family and friends who remembered him for his humor and ability to uplift others.
The legal proceedings surrounding the murder have been complex. The first conviction obtained in this case was against 22-year-old Terrance Wing, who was sentenced to approximately 37 years in prison despite being only 16 at the time of the shooting. The trial for the second suspected shooter, 22-year-old Xavier Da’Quan Barnes, is still pending and has not yet been scheduled.
The community continues to mourn the loss of Trey Blackshear, and the legal outcomes remain a focus of local dialogue as families seek justice and closure in the wake of such a tragic incident.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Hilton Head Island Murder Case
- Wikipedia: Hilton Head Island
- ABA Journal: Alleged Hitman Trial
- Google Search: Trey Blackshear murder
- CBS8: Husband Found Guilty
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
- Island Packet: Beaufort Residents Plead Guilty
- Google News: Trey Blackshear
Author: STAFF HERE HILTON HEAD
The HILTON HEAD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHiltonHead.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the RBC Heritage golf tournament, Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival, and the Gullah Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, plus leading businesses in tourism and hospitality that power the local economy such as Sea Pines Resort and Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
