24-year-old faces murder charge in 2025 Beaufort shooting death

BEAUFORT, S.C. (WTOC) - A man is now in custody following a homicide last year.

24-year-old Gerald Washington Jr. was taken into custody Monday for the September 2025 homicide of 28-year-old Christopher Jamal Burton.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Beaufort Police investigating deadly Monday night shooting, victim’s name released

Beaufort Police say Washington has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, aggravated breach of peace, criminal conspiracy and discharging a firearm within city limits.

Background of 2025 homicide case

On September 29, 2025, at around 8:53 p.m., Beaufort Police officers went to to 330 Robert Smalls Parkway in reference to a shots fired incident.

When they got there, officers found one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, 28-year-old Christopher Jamal Burton, was taken to a local hospital where he later died.

Another suspect, Jaheim Tyberous Watson was taken into custody in connection to this case in January of 2026.

SEE: Man arrested, 2nd suspect sought in Sept. 2025 homicide in Beaufort