Full Notification

At approximately 2:30 this morning, Sheriff's Office deputies and Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue paramedics responded to a report of an adult male, who had been shot in the parking lot of the Kangaroo Express on Palmetto Bay Road. When they arrived, deputies secured the scene and interviewed witnesses, while paramedics transported the wounded man to the Hilton Head Regional Medical Center for treatment.

At the scene, deputies learned that a fight between several male subjects began inside of the store and carried out into the parking lot. As the fight continued in the parking lot, one of the subjects retrieved a handgun from a vehicle and began firing at one of the men involved in the fight. After wounding the man several times and prior to deputies arriving, the subject with the handgun and the men with him fled in a vehicle. 

Sheriff's Office investigators processed the scene for forensic evidence and continued to interview witnesses and review evidence throughout today. The investigation revealed that 24-year-old Joseph Burton was the subject, who retrieved and fired the handgun at the man, wounding him several times. In addition, the investigation revealed that 26-year-old Derrick Frazier was one of the subjects with Burton and had physically assaulted the same man, prior to Burton firing the shots.

With the assistance of the Bluffton Police Department this afternoon, Joseph Burton and Derrick Frazier—both of Hilton Head Island—were located and arrested by Sheriff's Office investigators in Bluffton. Burton was charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon in the Commission of a Violent Crime and Frazier was charged with Assault and Battery 2nd Degree. Burton and Frazier were transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated without incident.

As of late this afternoon, the wounded man remained in stable condition at Savannah Memorial. The investigation remains active. 
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Seth Reynells at 843-255-3709 or Crimestoppers 1-888-CrimeSC if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.

We appreciate your partnership and continued commitment to the safety of our community.