On July 29, 2026, at approximately 5:08 p.m., deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to Sam’s Club in Bluffton after receiving an anonymous report that three juveniles dressed in black were inside the store, believed to be carrying firearms.
Upon arrival, deputies located three juveniles (under the age of 18) matching the reported description inside the business and detained them for investigation. During the encounter, deputies recovered a pistol from one juvenile that had been illegally modified with a conversion device, commonly referred to as a "switch," making the firearm capable of fully automatic fire. A second juvenile was found to have an additional pistol, and the third juvenile was found to be concealing a .22-caliber rifle in his pant leg.
As the investigation continued, deputies recovered multiple firearms, firearm accessories, ammunition, marijuana, masks, and drug paraphernalia from the three juveniles.
All three juveniles were arrested and charged with various offenses including Possession of a Machine Gun, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, and Possession of Marijuana.
Following their arrests, the juveniles were transported to the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia. The cases will be prosecuted by the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Family Court.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting the community and appreciates the prompt reporting of suspicious activity by members of the public. Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.
