Coroner identifies attacker who was shot, killed during Hardeeville attempted carjacking
The Jasper County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who was reportedly shot and killed as he attempted to carjack an armed resident near downtown Hardeeville.
Robert Payton, 34, was pronounced dead following the clash in a motel parking lot the night of March 23, according to Jasper County Coroner Jeremiah Vaigneur III. The coroner did not have a hometown on file for the deceased man.
Reached by phone Monday, Hardeeville Chief of Police Sam Woodward said his department had not yet turned the investigation over to the Solicitor’s Office, whose personnel would have the final say in bringing forward charges. But Woodward reaffirmed that he expected the homicide to be ruled as self-defense.
Around 9:40 p.m. March 23, officers from the Hardeeville Police Department received word of an armed suspect who tried to carjack a DoorDash delivery driver before fleeing on foot in the direction of Whyte Hardee Boulevard.
That suspect, later identified as Payton, reportedly fired several shots near the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites on the way to his next alleged carjacking.
Outside the Friendship Inn & Studios, Payton pointed his firearm at the driver of a car and fired at least once, Woodward said. The driver reportedly fired several shots in return, striking the suspected carjacker at least three times.
Payton was pronounced dead at the scene after Hardeeville officers attempted life-saving measures, Woodward said.
An obituary for Payton or information on funeral arrangements was not publicly available as of Monday afternoon.
