Parris Island Marine killed in vehicle accident
Cpl. Cameron P. Branum, assigned to Headquarters and Service Battalion on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, was killed in a motor vehicle accident while off duty near the intersection of Joe Frazier Road and Polite Drive in Beaufort at approximately 7 a.m. on Dec. 27.
Branum, 23, native of Newalla, Oklahoma, enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2007 and served as a rifleman with the 1st Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company based in Norfolk, Va., from April 2008 to April 2010. From May 2010 to March 2012, he served with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., deploying to Afghanistan from February 2011 to September 2011. He reported to Parris Island on March 31, 2012, and served as a company clerk for Service Company, H&S Bn.
Branum’s military awards include the Good Conduct Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the NATO Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Investigating armed robbery of Dairy Queen
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a Lady’s Island restaurant.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to Dairy Queen (115 Sea Island Parkway) just before 9 p.m. the night of Wednesday, December 26, 2012, in reference to a reported robbery occurring at the store moments earlier. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with several employees who advised that the store had been robbed by two unknown black males.
The employees reported that the two suspects, both wearing ski masks and armed with handguns, entered the store at approximately 8:45 pm. The employees handed over the contents of the registers upon demand, at which time both suspects fled the store. Both suspects were described as black males, approximately 6’00”, 180 lbs.
Anyone with information is asked to contact either Investigator Sgt. J. Gobel at 843-255-3421 or Crimestoppers.
Barricaded subject taken into custody
A subject who barricaded himself inside his Shanklin Road home early on Dec. 28, 2012, was peacefully taken into custody. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a conduct a health and welfare check following a 911 hang-up call received from Lot #37 at Laurel Village mobile home park at approximately 5:10 am. Upon arrival, deputies heard sounds of distress coming from inside the home and saw a male subject standing at the door. As deputies approached, the male slammed the door, refusing to make contact. Repeated attempts to establish contact with anyone inside the trailer went unanswered, at which time members of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiations Team responded. Contact was eventually made with the male subject by phone, and the subject, 28-year old Frank Jabbar Holmes, voluntarily exited the home and was detained without incident. Inside, deputies located the subject’s girlfriend, 26-year old Indirah Washington and her three children (ages 3 months, 1 and 9-years-old.)
