Public safety briefs for May 18th-24th

Burton shooting is under investigation

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting in Burton that left one man wounded.

At approximately 9:40 p.m. May 8, a 911 call came in regarding a shooting incident on Vanita Drive in Burton. 

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded and found a wounded man and secured the scene, while others responded a short distance away to Donaldson Camp Road to meet with the other subject involved in the shooting incident (one of the 911 callers). 

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was summoned to Vanita Drive and treated the man for a gunshot wound to his neck. EMS transported him to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH), where a decision was made to fly him to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston for additional treatment.

On Vanita Drive deputies and investigators met with potential witnesses, processed the scene and secured evidence. 

On Donaldson Camp Road where deputies and investigators met with the other man involved, he said he left the scene and drove there in order to safely call 911. The handgun believed used in the shooting was recovered from his vehicle at that time. He too was treated by EMS and transported to BMH for head lacerations he sustained during the physical encounter with the man who ultimately was shot. 

Investigators are still looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident. No one has been charged as of yet. There is no update on the condition of the man flown to MUSC for the gunshot wound to his neck, but the man that sustained head lacerations was treated and released from BMH.

Additional information will be released when available. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sgt. Adam Disbrow at 843-255-3407 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CrimeSC to remain anonymous and for a possible reward.

Burton home fire displaces family

The Burton Fire District and MCAS firefighters extinguished a house fire recently that displaced a family in the Independent Mobile Home Park in Burton.

Firefighters arrived on scene to a single-wide mobile home with fire already coming through the roof. 

Burton firefighters were able to enter the home and battle the flames while searching for victims, but luckily the family was not home at the time. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the kitchen and living room; however, the home suffered significant smoke damage throughout. 

The fire is under investigation. One adult and three children were displaced. The Red Cross was called to assist the family.

Accidents cause problems on Robert Smalls Parkway

The Burton Fire District responded to two separate motor vehicle accidents on May 11 on Robert Smalls Parkway, causing traffic delays and one driver being transported to the hospital. 

The first wreck was reported in front of Stokes Toyota on Robert Smalls Parkway just before noon yesterday. The two-vehicle accident, involving a passenger vehicle and pickup truck, caused minor damage and traffic delays.

Burton firefighters assisted the drivers, however no injuries were reported.

The second accident was reported just before 11 p.m. in the 800 block of Robert Smalls Parkway also involving a passenger vehicle and a pickup truck. 

Both vehicles were damaged and one driver transported with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. 

One lane of Robert Smalls Parkway was blocked for approximately 30 minutes while firefighters assisted the injured driver and removed roadway hazards. 

The Burton Fire District has responded to 122 motor vehicle accidents in 2017; 31 of those accidents have occurred on Robert Smalls Parkway and 24 have occurred on Parris Island Gateway. 

Parris Island Gateway wreck sends 1 to hospital

The Burton Fire District responded to a vehicle accident on May 11 at the intersection of Parris Island Gateway and Cypress Street during high traffic times, causing traffic delays and injuring one. 

Just before 3:30 p.m., the Burton Fire District responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Parris Island Gateway and Cypress Street in the Shell Point area of Port Royal. 

One driver was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. 

Both lanes of Parris Island Gateway by Cypress Road were blocked for approximately 30 minutes while emergency crews assisted the injured driver and removed roadway hazards.

The Burton Fire District provides emergency services to the Shell Point area of Port Royal, as well as the Mink Point area of Beaufort, through contracts with the city of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal. These emergency services are provided by the Burton Fire District fire station located at 602 Parris Island Gateway. 

Alcohol program targets minors

For the eighth year, an “enforcement and education blitz” coordinated by the 

S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) has helped focus attention on the dangers of underage alcohol use.

Through the statewide campaign, South Carolina’s Alcohol Enforcement Teams (AETs) and prevention professionals collaborate on activities aimed at limiting access to alcohol by young people under the age of 21. 

The increased enforcement and public education efforts promote a safe end to the school year and a safe prom season.  

The campaign – called “Out of Their Hands” – emphasizes that it is against the law for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.

The campaign, which ran April 1-30, resulted in 13 party-dispersal operations; 175 traffic stops; 528 casual contacts; 660 compliance checks; 149 on-premise bar checks; and 25 public safety checkpoints.

The various operations led to 301 cases of charges being filed.

In addition to the law enforcement activities, 88 “media activities” were held at high schools and middle schools, colleges, public forums, community events, civic groups, beach rentals, lodging establishments, retail alcohol outlets, and other retail locations.

Brush fire started by burning trash 

Burton and Sheldon firefighters extinguish a slow moving brush fire which was caused by an unattended burning trash pile on May 10 on Jacob Lane in Burton.

Just past 8 p.m., the Burton Fire District was dispatched to what was originally believed to be a house fire on Jacob Lane in Burton. Callers initially described a possible trailer on fire. Firefighters arrived to what was actually a slow-moving quarter-acre brush fire. 

Burton firefighters extinguished the fire using approximately 1,000 gallons of water and required assistance from the Sheldon Fire District due to the lack of hydrants in the Seabrook area. The fire was caused by an unattended burning trash pile on the side of the road. 

No injuries were reported. 

It is illegal to burn trash in Beaufort County and the fire is under investigation.

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