Full Notification

At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Monday, November 16, 2020, Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Kensington Boulevard in Bluffton.
 
Upon their arrival, deputies found 45-year-old Timothy Milliken in his home, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. 

The scene was secured, while Sheriff’s Office investigators and the Crime Scene Unit responded. The subjects responsible were not immediately located. 
 
Crime Scene personnel processed the scene and collected evidence Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Investigators interviewed witnesses and followed up on leads that the subjects responsible for Milliken's shooting death were traveling in a black 2020 Nissan Altima.

On Tuesday, investigators obtained information that the subjects were at a residence in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and contacted the Gwinnett County Police Department for assistance in locating them. .

Gwinnett County police officers located the Nissan Altima outside of the address provided by Sheriff's Office investigators. When the police officers approached the vehicle, three male occupants fled on foot, but were quickly apprehended.

The men were identified as 26-year-old Devante White of Green Pond, South Carolina, 22-year-old Malik White of Beaufort and 22-year-old Jamal Coakley Jr. of Dale.
 
Gwinnett County police officers ran a check on the three men through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determined that two of the men — Devante White and Malik White — were wanted for felony warrants out of Hardeeville. The third man, Jamal Coakley Jr., was arrested on a separate charge. 

With the three in custody, Sheriff's Office investigators traveled to Gwinnett County to interview them regarding Milliken's murder.

After the interviews and a review of the evidence in the case, investigators sought warrants from a Beaufort County magistrate for the arrest of the three in connection with Milliken's murder.

After hearing the facts of the case, the magistrate issued warrants for the arrests of Devante White, Malik White and Jamal Coakley Jr. for Murder, Kidnapping and Armed Robbery. In addition, the magistrate issued warrants for the arrests of Devante White and Coakley Jr. for Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. 

Investigators entered the arrest warrant in the NCIC and notified Gwinnett County authorities. As of this evening, the three men are in custody and face extradition to Beaufort County for the charges in Milliken's shooting death. 

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who has information is asked to contact Corporal William Weich at 843-255-3313 or Crimestoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111, if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward.
 
We would like to recognize the Gwinnett County Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office appreciates your continued commitment to the safety of our community.