By Mike McCombs
The Island News
An argument between two men at a party at a Boundary Street hotel Friday night, June 10, resulted in the shooting death of 24-year-old Jaquavious Bakari Washington of Hardeeville, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.
An autopsy was performed Monday. City of Beaufort Police are still searching for the shooter.
At approximately 11:05 p.m., Friday, officers responded to a shooting incident at the Quality Inn At Town Center at 2001 Boundary Street, where a party was being held when an argument ensued between two of the attendees.
According to witnesses, the suspect threatened to shoot the victim several times. The victim got in his vehicle and left the hotel, striking a pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.
According to police, the suspect then started shooting at the victim’s car. Several rounds hit the vehicle, and it became stuck on an island in the parking lot. The victim got out of the vehicle and ran, the suspect followed the victim and continued to shoot at him. The victim succumbed to his injuries and the suspect fled on foot.
Officers from multiple jurisdictions responded and immediately secured the area.
The suspect is known to the victim and witnesses provided additional information.
Justin Rakeem Parker of Port Royal has been identified by the City of Beaufort Police as a person of interest. Beaufort Police Deputy Chief Stephenie Price was careful to refer to Parker as a “person of interest” and not a suspect.
According to Price, as of Tuesday afternoon, police had not had contact with Parker but she said they had been contacted b an attorney representing him.
If you have any additional information on the incident or his whereabouts please contact Sgt. Fritz at 843-322-7913 or if you would like to stay Anonymous please contact the City of Beaufort TIP LINE at 843-322-7938 and please reference case No. 23B24199.
Mike McCombs is the editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
