On July 16, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., deputies were called for a welfare check on a person who was believed to be in distress. Deputies were told that the man was possibly traveling in the greater Bluffton area on a golf cart and was armed.
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies and Bluffton Police Department located the man in “The Promenade” in downtown Bluffton, armed and sitting in a golf cart.
Due to the nature of the call and the actions observed by first responders, the businesses in the area were evacuated and the roadways surrounding the Promenade were shut down. Crisis Negotiators from the Sheriff’s Office and Bluffton Police were called to assist along with the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team.
At approximately, 7:45 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was able to safely detain the man. No one was injured. The man has been taken to a local hospital for evaluation.