Life Sentence for Nayquan Gadson in Hilton Head Murder Case

Hilton Head, August 6, 2025

News Summary

Nayquan Unique Gadson has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 19-year-old Colombian immigrant Breiner Daniel Puerto-Gonzalez. The shooting occurred during an attempted robbery in Hilton Head. Gadson was found guilty of murder and felony gun possession, while another individual involved received probation as an accessory. The case highlights the dangers faced by immigrants in the U.S., marking a senseless act of violence that cut short the life of a young worker seeking better opportunities.

Hardeeville — Nayquan Unique “Switch” Gadson, 22, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Breiner Daniel Puerto-Gonzalez, a 19-year-old Colombian immigrant, following a shooting incident in Hilton Head. The verdict was delivered by a jury on August 5, 2025, in Beaufort County Courthouse, where Gadson was found guilty of both murder and felony gun possession. However, the jury acquitted him of a related armed robbery charge.

The tragic shooting took place on November 15, 2022, in the parking lot of Northridge Plaza, located near Hilton Head’s airport. Prosecutors asserted that Gadson shot Puerto-Gonzalez during an attempted robbery, targeting the victim who was known to be alone and in possession of cash. This information was bolstered by testimony from Gadson’s girlfriend, who witnessed the incident via a video call and identified Gadson as being at the scene.

During the sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Robert Bonds emphasized the random and senseless nature of the murder, a sentiment echoed by Deputy Solicitor Mary Jones, who described the events as sickening. She noted that Puerto-Gonzalez had traveled to the United States on a work visa and was employed at a Hilton Head hotel at the time of his death.

After the shooting, Christopher Alexander “Pito” Escobedo, 21, who was also present during the incident and initially attempted to intervene, pleaded guilty as an accessory after the fact to murder. He was sentenced to probation but is currently serving a suspended sentence after violating the terms of his probation.

Prior to his trial, Gadson had been released on a $125,000 cash bond with conditions that included wearing an ankle monitor and being prohibited from possessing firearms. During this period, Gadson faced further legal troubles when he was charged with sexually assaulting a minor and multiple other serious offenses in Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

Authorities reviewed surveillance footage showing Gadson and Escobedo loitering in the parking lot before the murder occurred. Following the incident, Puerto-Gonzalez was discovered deceased by a local restaurant owner around 1:30 a.m. the next day, having suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Investigators collected five .40-caliber shell casings from the crime scene, and Gadson’s cellphone contained a video showing him with a handgun matching the description of the weapon used in the shooting, which has yet to be recovered.

Gadson’s criminal history is extensive, with pending felony charges linked to prior incidents, which include a shooting in 2021 that resulted in injuries to two individuals, as well as an attempt to evade police.

Key Points:

Gadson sentenced to life for the murder of Breiner Daniel Puerto-Gonzalez.

Incident occurred during an attempted robbery in November 2022.

Escobedo, another individual involved, received probation as an accessory.

Gadson was out on bond for previous charges at the time of the incident.

Background Context

The murder of Puerto-Gonzalez not only highlights issues surrounding violence and crime but also underscores the dangers faced by immigrants working in the United States. Puerto-Gonzalez’s life was tragically cut short while he sought better opportunities abroad, a fate that serves as a grim reminder of the fragility of life in crime-prone areas.

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HERE Resources

Hardeeville Man Sentenced to Life for Random Shooting

Additional Resources

• Island Packet: Hardeeville Man Convicted
• Wikipedia: Murder
• WTOC: Hardeeville Man Convicted
• Google Search: Hilton Head shooting
• Bluffton Today: Hardeeville Police Seeking Suspect
• Google Scholar: Crime and Immigration
• WJCL: Hardeeville Motel Shooting
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
• Post and Courier: Jasper County Fire Chief Murder
• Google News: Hardeeville murder

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.