Hilton Head Island, October 3, 2025
News Summary
An off-duty Beaufort County deputy has been suspended without pay following a concerning incident on Hilton Head Island. The deputy was involved in a confrontation where he pointed his gun at three teenagers, leading to multiple investigations by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Video evidence surfaced, showing the tense exchange, and the deputy has since been relieved of his duties pending the outcome of the investigations.
Hilton Head Island – An off-duty Beaufort County deputy has been suspended without pay following a serious incident on Hilton Head Island. The disturbance occurred around 6:47 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, prompting sheriff’s deputies to respond to reports of a confrontation in the deputy’s neighborhood.
Video footage has surfaced showing the deputy, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, pointing his gun at three teenagers and instructing them to get on the ground. The deputy was subsequently relieved of all credentials, badge, sheriff’s office-issued weapons, and equipment shortly after the incident occurred.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is currently conducting an internal investigation into the matter, emphasizing that all deputies are expected to uphold BCSO policies, both on and off duty. The internal investigation is anticipated to take some time, as multiple witnesses and involved parties need to be interviewed. Concurrently, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been asked to investigate the incident for any potential criminal violations.
The sheriff’s office has confirmed that the internal and criminal investigations will run in parallel, in accordance with standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Witness accounts indicate that the deputy was called to the scene, though the exact reasons for his involvement remain unclear. After initially holstering his weapon, the deputy drew his gun again when the teens reportedly did not comply quickly enough, leading to a physical altercation.
In the video footage, one of the teenagers can be seen pleading for assistance and calling for someone to contact the police. The deputy responded by stating, “I am the police.” Further videos have emerged exhibiting earlier interactions between the teens and a man on a four-wheeler, with claims made that the man was harassing the teenagers.
A family member of one of the teens reported that verbal disputes occurred between the deputy and the youths prior to the gun being drawn. The teenagers asserted their right to walk freely within the neighborhood. As of now, the identity of the deputy involved has not been disclosed, and the BCSO is asking anyone with additional information related to the incident to reach out to their Internal Affairs Investigator.
The findings from the SLED investigation will be reviewed by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to assess if any criminal charges will be warranted against the deputy involved in this incident.
Key Facts Summary
- Off-duty Beaufort County deputy was suspended without pay.
- Incident occurred on September 28, 2025.
- Video shows deputy pointing gun at teenagers and ordering them to the ground.
- Internal and criminal investigations are ongoing.
- Deputy’s identity has not been released.
Background Context
This incident has raised questions about appropriate conduct for law enforcement officials, particularly in off-duty situations. The BCSO’s focus on maintaining high standards of conduct is central to the internal investigation process. The simultaneous investigation by SLED is aimed at uncovering any potential criminal wrongdoing that may have occurred during the incident.
What Happens Next?
As the investigations continue, the BCSO is appealing to the public to provide any information that could assist in this matter. The outcome of the dual investigations will play a crucial role in determining the appropriate disciplinary actions, if any, against the deputy involved.
FAQ
What prompted the suspension of the Beaufort County deputy?
An off-duty Beaufort County deputy has been suspended without pay following an incident on Hilton Head Island.
What were the circumstances of the incident?
The incident occurred at around 6:47 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, when sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a disturbance in the deputy’s neighborhood.
What actions are being taken following the incident?
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is conducting an internal investigation and has stated that deputies are held to a higher standard and must abide by BCSO policies both on and off duty.
Who is conducting the criminal investigation?
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been asked to investigate the incident for any potential criminal violations.
Are there any eyewitness accounts of the incident?
Witnesses reported that the deputy was called to the scene, but it remains unclear what led to the officer’s involvement.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | September 28, 2025 |
| Location | Hilton Head Island |
| Deputy Status | Suspended without pay |
| Investigations | Internal by BCSO and criminal by SLED |
| Evidence | Video footage of the incident |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Suspended
- Wikipedia: Hilton Head Island
- WJCL: Hilton Head Island Deputy Gun Suspended
- Google Search: Beaufort County Sheriff Deputy
- ABC News 4: Beaufort County Deputy Suspended
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Enforcement
- Post and Courier: Beaufort Sheriff Deputy Incident
- Google News: Beaufort County Deputy
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.
