Murder-suicide investigation spans Hilton Head and Bluffton communities

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) - Two people were shot and killed on Hilton Head Island Thursday night before the suspect died by suicide at his Bluffton home following a hours-long standoff with deputies.

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office received reports of gunshots on Lark Street on Hilton Head shortly after 11:30 p.m. on February 19, 2026. When deputies arrived, they found two gunshot victims lying on the ground outside of a residence.

A 50-year-old woman and a 62-year-old man were pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies learned that the suspect fled in a vehicle. Using automated license plate reader cameras, deputies identified the vehicle and later located it in the area of Promenade Street in Bluffton. Through the investigation, it was determined the suspect, a 52-year-old man, had returned to his residence on Promenade Street.

Standoff ends with suspect’s death

Deputies established a perimeter around the area and made contact with the suspect by phone. A 56-year-old woman was in the residence with him. After negotiating with the suspect for several hours, the woman exited the residence unharmed.

The Sheriff’s Office later made entry into the residence and located the body of the deceased male subject with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The circumstances that led up to this incident are still under investigation. Preliminary information appears that this was a domestic-related incident.

Law enforcement presence may still be observed in areas of Hilton Head and in Bluffton in relation to this case, but there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the lead investigator, Sergeant Cushman, at 843-255-3722. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to suspicious or criminal activity to report it by calling the non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777. If wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app, online at tipsbft.com, or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT.