From staff reports
A Beaufort man is dead after an exchange of gunfire stemmed from an apparent drive-by shooting.
On July 9, 2023, at approximately 8:55 p.m., Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Possum Hill Road in Burton for a call of “shots fired.”
When deputies arrived, they were told by a witness that a brown or tan SUV-style vehicle drove past a residence and began firing at the home.
It was reported that the vehicle then turned around and came back toward the home from the opposite direction and began shooting again. This time, an occupant of the home returned fire.
Evidence found at the crime scene supported the statement that someone was shooting from the roadway. Two homes, as well as a vehicle, were damaged by bullet strikes. No one inside the homes was injured by gunfire.
A short time later, at approximately 9:23 p.m., the Beaufort County Communications Center received a call for a disturbance at Beaufort Memorial Hospital with no additional information being available at the time.
Beaufort Police Department responded and determined that there were two victims at the hospital with gunshot wounds that arrived in a gold-colored SUV.
Sheriff’s deputies were summoned to the hospital due to the likelihood that the vehicle and occupants were involved in the Possum Hill shooting incident.
A 29-year-old Burton man sustained a gunshot wound to his arm while the second man, also 29 years old of Burton, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The second man’s wounds were fatal.
The deceased was identified by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office as Byran Michael Habersham of Beaufort.
No charges had been filed as of Tuesday afternoon, according to BCSO spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens. “We’re still investigating,” she said.
Investigators continue to interview witnesses and evaluate evidence collected from both the Possum Hill Road area and the vehicle found at the hospital. Additional information may be released later as the investigation progresses.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about this incident to contact Investigator Kline at 843-255-3430 or if wishing to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.
