Full Notification

Sheriff's Office deputies responded to Vista View Apartments, 39 Haigler Boulevard, Bluffton at approximately 11:40 PM on Friday, July 29, 2022 for a report of shots fired.   When they arrived they met with a man who reported being shot at by another male.  Through the investigation the subject was identified as James Leonard Williams, 34, of Hilton Head.  The man told deputies that he witnessed an argument between Williams and a woman in the parking lot near the "G" building.  He observed Williams strike the female and he then intervened to try and separate the two.  As a result of his actions, Williams attempted to hit the man.  He was able to deflect the strike and hit Williams in return.  The man observed Williams pulling a handgun from his waistband and as he turned to run away he heard a single shot being fired.  The man was not struck by the bullet but felt that Williams was shooting at him.  He made it back to his apartment safely and was not injured.

As deputies and investigators were processing the scene and interviewing witnesses, they learned that the female who Williams was arguing with had sustained a single gunshot wound to her right leg.   She had been transported by private vehicle to a local hospital prior to deputies arriving.  Deputies interviewed her later that evening.  Her injury was not life threatening.

The investigation led to arrest warrants being issued for James Leonard Williams for the following charges:
Attempted Murder, Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. 

On August 3, 2022, Sheriff's deputies located Williams at an apartment within the Vista View community.  He was arrested without incident and transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center. 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Cushman at 843-255-3722 or Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.