Who was involved in the incident?

An off-duty Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputy, Master Sgt. William “Billy” Squires, and three teenage boys were involved in the incident.

When did the incident occur?

The incident occurred on September 28, 2025.

What actions did Deputy Squires take during the confrontation?

Squires confronted the boys in a neighborhood, returned wearing a sheriff’s tactical vest, brandished his department-issued gun, and yelled at them to get on the ground.

How has the community reacted to this incident?

The incident drew public outrage and sparked concerns over law enforcement conduct towards minors.

What actions were taken against Deputy Squires following the incident?

Squires was placed on unpaid leave, stripped of his badge, service weapon, and vehicle, and was terminated after an internal investigation due to multiple policy violations.

October 4, 2025

Sheriff’s Deputy Fired After Confronting Teens with Gun

Hilton Head, October 4, 2025

News Summary

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy was terminated after brandishing his weapon at three teenage boys on Hilton Head Island, raising serious concerns about police conduct. The incident, which began with his verbal confrontation, escalated when he donned a tactical vest and ordered the boys to the ground. Following public outrage and an internal investigation revealing multiple policy violations, the deputy’s actions prompted broader discussions regarding law enforcement behavior towards minors in residential areas.

Hilton Head Island – An off-duty Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputy, Master Sgt. William “Billy” Squires, was fired after he pointed a gun at three teenage boys on Hilton Head Island on September 28, 2025. The incident has raised significant concerns regarding community safety and police conduct in encounters with minors.

The confrontation began when Squires, driving a white pickup truck, confronted the boys in a neighborhood where he lived, telling them to leave. The situation escalated after he returned wearing a sheriff’s tactical vest, brandishing his department-issued gun, and yelling at the boys to get on the ground. The boys did not perceive Squires as a legitimate law enforcement officer, as he initially did not identify himself, and one of the boys’ aunts stated he never mentioned he was a deputy.

A video of the incident went viral, triggering public outrage. The negative attention prompted the sheriff’s office to place Squires on unpaid leave, stripping him of his badge, service weapon, and vehicle. Moreover, there were suspicions about possible alcohol use when Squires refused to take a breathalyzer test when ordered by Sheriff P.J. Tanner. Following this incident, Squires later admitted to consuming alcohol prior to the confrontation.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office initiated an internal affairs investigation that concluded with Squires’ termination on October 3, 2025. His dismissal was mainly due to multiple policy violations, including insubordination. In addition, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting a separate investigation into potential criminal violations, which will be reviewed by the Regional Public Integrity Unit.

Squires’ personnel file was mostly clean, though it did contain some minor incidents and complaints. He underwent an internal investigation in 2016 that was deemed unfounded, and in 2021, he faced a complaint of excessive force which was found to involve no policy violation. Following the incidents, the families of the teenagers involved are seeking legal counsel to pursue possible actions against Squires.

Public reaction to Squires’ actions has been mixed. While some community members support him due to prior complaints about unruly teenagers in the area, others have expressed serious concerns over his aggressive tactics. This incident has sparked discussions among residents about the rights of individuals to police their neighborhoods and the appropriate use of force by law enforcement.

In light of the alarming nature of this event, community leaders are urging for a broader conversation on policing practices, particularly regarding interactions with minors. The implications of this event may foster deeper scrutiny of how law enforcement conducts itself in residential areas and what is regarded as acceptable behavior for officers, even when off-duty.

FAQ

Who was involved in the incident?

An off-duty Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputy, Master Sgt. William “Billy” Squires, and three teenage boys were involved in the incident.
When did the incident occur?

The incident occurred on September 28, 2025.
What actions did Deputy Squires take during the confrontation?

Squires confronted the boys in a neighborhood, returned wearing a sheriff’s tactical vest, brandished his department-issued gun, and yelled at them to get on the ground.
How has the community reacted to this incident?

The incident drew public outrage and sparked concerns over law enforcement conduct towards minors.
What actions were taken against Deputy Squires following the incident?

Squires was placed on unpaid leave, stripped of his badge, service weapon, and vehicle, and was terminated after an internal investigation due to multiple policy violations.

Key Features of the Incident

Feature	Description
Individual Involved	Master Sgt. William “Billy” Squires, off-duty deputy
Date of Incident	September 28, 2025
Victims	Three teenage boys
Actions Taken	Confrontation, verbal commands, brandishing a firearm
Consequences	Termination from the sheriff’s office, internal investigation
Community Response	Public outrage, discussions on policing practices

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Master Sgt. William Squires Fired After Gunpoint Incident
Deputy Terminated After Gun Incident In Hilton Head
Beaufort Deputy Fired After Pointing Gun at Teenagers
Beaufort County Deputy Fired After Gun Incident
No Kings Coalition Plans Protest Across South Carolina
Beaufort County Deputy Terminated for Gun Incident
Beaufort County Deputy Fired After Disturbing Incident
Beaufort Residents Alarmed by Week of Shootings
Shooting Incident Leaves Man Dead in Beaufort
Beaufort County Deputy Suspended After Confrontation with Teens

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

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