Father and son arrested after gunfire outside Beaufort Walmart, driver attacked
Police had a busy Monday evening in the area of Beaufort’s Walmart store as they responded to two separate shooting incidents, the second of which resulted in the arrests of a father and son. There were no gunshot injuries reported.
The first reported incident, involving approximately three gunshots, came minutes before 5 p.m. Monday and was “related to an alleged road rage incident,” according to Lt. Lori Reeves of the Beaufort Police Department. No suspects were identified.
A second round of about four gunshots was reported around 7:40 p.m. from the same parking lot. It was an altercation over a “previous incident” from outside Beaufort police’s jurisdiction, Reeves said.
Police say the shots were fired by Beaufort resident John Michael Findlay, 52, who was targeting a victim’s vehicle. No gunshot wounds were reported but the vehicle was struck by gunfire.
Findlay’s 20-year-old son was also arrested for allegedly punching out the driver-side window of the same vehicle and assaulting the driver, according to Reeves.
Findlay was charged with discharging firearms within Beaufort city limits and two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. His son faces charges of malicious injury to property and misdemeanor assault and battery.
Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature is the most serious assault offense under South Carolina law. It’s a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Findlay was granted cash bonds totaling $51,087.50 but had not posted bail as of noon on Tuesday, according to Beaufort County court records.
His son was released from jail Tuesday morning on personal recognizance bonds totaling $3,212,50, meaning he would not have to pay the amount unless he violated court conditions.
The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette do not typically name individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses unless they are in a position of public trust or there is a compelling reason to do so.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM.
