Deputy Terminated After Pointing Gun at Teenagers

Hilton Head, October 6, 2025

News Summary

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has terminated Deputy William “Billy” Squires after he pointed a gun at three teenagers during a neighborhood dispute. The sheriff cited multiple policy violations, including insubordination and being under the influence of alcohol. Squires had been with the department for 19 years. An investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is ongoing, with potential criminal charges pending. Video evidence of the incident has raised community concerns, prompting an internal review by the sheriff’s office.

Hilton Head – Deputy William “Billy” Squires has been terminated from his position with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office following an incident in which he pointed a gun at three teenagers during a neighborhood dispute. The firing of Squires was confirmed by Sheriff P.J. Tanner, who stated that the decision was made on Friday morning after an investigation into the incident.

Shortly after the confrontation, Squires was suspended without pay, stripped of his credentials, badge, and issued weapons and equipment. Furthermore, the sheriff’s office has requested the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy to revoke Squires’ state law enforcement certification. This termination comes in response to a “host of policy violations” that Squires committed during the incident.

Among the violations cited are:

• Insubordination for refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test when officers suspected he was under the influence of alcohol.
• Unprofessional conduct that did not foster public respect and cooperation.
• Being under the influence of alcohol in a public place, consequently bringing discredit upon the sheriff’s office.
• Unlawful attempt to arrest or detain youths without an immediate threat of bodily injury.
• Violation of the firearms policy by consuming alcohol while armed.
• Using force without reasonable suspicion or probable cause.
• Failure to communicate with the dispatch center or duty supervisor regarding his involvement in the incident.
• Not activating his body-worn camera during the event, even while acting in an official capacity as an officer.

The incident occurred on September 28 in a Hilton Head neighborhood and was captured on video, which shows Squires threatening the teenagers and demanding that they get on the ground. The confrontation escalated to the point that deputies later responded to a shots-fired call, where they found Squires involved at the scene. The sheriff’s office characterized the video evidence as “appalling” and recognized the community’s concerns that arose following the event.

Sheriff Tanner noted that an internal review of the incident is nearing completion, but a separate investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is still in progress. Additional consequences for Squires could unfold based on findings from the SLED investigation and any potential criminal charges. The sheriff emphasized that deputies are expected to uphold high standards during their off-duty hours as well.

Deputy Squires had been with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years, with relatively few prior incidents on record. The community is encouraged to share any further information or video footage relevant to the incident with the sheriff’s office as investigations continue.

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HERE Resources

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Deputy William Squires Fired for Pointing Gun at Teens
Former Beaufort County Officer Fired After Threatening Teens
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Former Deputy Terminated for Inappropriate Conduct
Sheriff’s Deputy Fired After Confronting Teens with Gun
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

Additional Resources

• Live 5 News
• Wikipedia: Law enforcement in the United States
• WTOC
• Google Search: sheriff policy violations
• WSAV
• Google Scholar: law enforcement accountability
• WTOC
• Encyclopedia Britannica: law enforcement
• Your Island News

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.