St. Helena shooting suspect had criminal history, but few convictions
The rap sheet of the suspect in last month’s mass shooting on St. Helena Island reveals a history of arrests dating back to 2016 — although most of his earlier charges were dismissed.
While already in jail on Thursday, St. Helena resident Anferny Devon Freeman, 27, was charged with aggravated breach of peace, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and four counts of murder in connection with the Oct. 12 shooting outside Willie’s Bar and Grill. Four people were killed and 15 were injured.
For each murder charge, Freeman faces 30 years to life in prison and the possibility of the death penalty. All of his charges are felonies except aggravated breach of peace, which is a misdemeanor.
Beaufort County online court records and a statewide criminal history document from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division show all of Freeman’s arrests occurring within Beaufort County.
Freeman’s first charges came in January 2016, less than three months after he turned 17. Before 2019, 17-year-olds were legally considered adults in South Carolina.
The records showed only one conviction connected to Freeman. He pleaded guilty to a non-criminal seatbelt violation in October 2018.
- Jan. 2016: Charged with possession of a non-narcotic substance in Schedule I to V, first offense (Outcome: Charges dropped by prosecutors in November 2017. Freeman was granted a “conditional discharge,” a pre-trial diversion program for first-time drug offenders.
- June 2018: Charged with possession of a non-narcotic substance in Schedule I to V, possession of marijuana between one and ten grams and unlawful carrying of a pistol. (Outcome: Charges dropped by prosecutors in October 2019.)
- Jan. 2023: Charged with resisting arrest and violation of city ordinances. (Outcome: “Prosecution ended” on case in June 2023, according to SLED rap sheet.)
- March 2023: Charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol and failure to stop for blue lights. (Outcomes: Pistol charge dropped by prosecutors in March 2024 after signing of South Carolina’s “Constitutional Carry” law. Freeman was indicted by a grand jury on the failure to stop charge Nov. 13, 2025; charge remains pending.)
- Oct. 2025: Charged with aggravated breach of peace and unlawful possession of a machine gun, sawed-off shotgun or rifle. (Outcome: Charges remain pending.)
- Nov. 2025: Charged by Beaufort police with financial transaction card theft, financial transaction card fraud of more than $500 in six-month period and criminally receiving goods worth more than $1,000 in a six-month period. (Outcome: Charges remain pending.)
Little is known about the circumstances behind Freeman’s October 2025 arrest because police say the charges are closely related to the investigation of the mass shooting. The offenses stem from an incident in September 2024, according to Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner.
Freeman was arrested on those charges the day after the shooting and was briefly released from jail before having his bond revoked. He remained at the Beaufort County Detention Center until he was served warrants for the St. Helena shooting.
His financial offenses were applied Nov. 13, while Freeman was already in custody at the Beaufort County jail, according to the Beaufort Police Department. A department spokesperson said Freeman is accused of stealing a credit card and using it to spend nearly $1,300 within the City of Beaufort in October. Police said they became aware of the offense late that month and obtained his arrest warrants Nov. 13.
As of Monday, Freeman remained in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center.
Because his charges carry the possibility of a life sentence, Freeman’s bond is required to be set by a circuit court judge. Circuit court is scheduled to convene Monday through Friday in Beaufort County.
This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM.
