Hardeeville man convicted in 2022 Hilton Head murder

Hilton Head Island, S.C. (WTOC) - A Hardeeville man was sentenced to life in prison in connection to a deadly shooting outside a Hilton Head Island convenience store in November 2022.

Friday, a jury found 22-year-old Nayquan Unique Gadson guilty of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The charges stems from the shooting death of 19-year-old hotel worker Breiner Daniel Puerto-Gonzalez.

“This murder was not merely senseless—it was entirely random,” said Deputy Solicitor Mary Jones of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “This defendant encountered Breiner Puerto-Gonzalez by chance and killed him moments later because he knew he was alone and carrying cash. It’s simply sickening. This jury served justice by taking Nayquan Gadson off the streets.”

Evidence and testimony in the case shows, on November 15, 2022, Puerto-Gonzalez was shot near North Ridge Plaza on William Hilton Parkway. Surveillance video showed Puerto-Gonzalez on a video call with his girlfriend as he arrived at a convenience store minutes after Gadson and his co-defendant, 21-year-old Cristopher Alexander “Pito” Escobedo. Video shows the men leaving the store on bikes. Then Puerto-Gonzalez leaves the store on his bike, traveling in the same direction.

Escobedo testified that Gadson begin assaulting Puerto-Gonzalez. Escobedo says he tried to intervene. Puerto-Gonzalez then tried to run, but Gadson fired several shots, hitting Puerto-Gonzalez in the neck. A nearby restaurant owner later discovered Puerto-Gonzalez’s body and his bike nearby.

Surveillance footage showed Escobedo running from the area and Gadson riding off on a bicycle seconds later. A friend then drove the two men out of the county before they split up.

Prosecutors say Escobedo flew to his father’s home in Honduras, but he later returned to cooperated with investigators. He pleaded guilty in December 2023 to accessory after the fact of murder. He was sentenced to five years, suspended to three years of probation, and he testified against Gadson.

Gadson was arrested weeks later at a relative’s house in Port Wentworth, Georgia. After 24 witnesses and three days of testimony, Gadson was sentenced to life in prison. He also faces a pending charge in Jasper County for criminal sexual conduct with a minor and drug trafficking.