In the late hours of a November night in Conway, South Carolina, a life was tragically cut short, leaving a community in mourning and a family shattered. Paul Anthony Mishoe, a 30-year-old man known for his generous spirit and love for his family, was fatally shot on November 22, 2020. The incident unfolded just after midnight in the parking lot of CW Wings and Ribs, a local restaurant on Rivertown Boulevard.
Mishoe, a devoted father of three and a beloved member of the Bucksport community, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The events of that fateful night began inside the restaurant with a brief interaction between Mishoe and another man, 55-year-old Stephen Denis O'Hara. A remark made by Mishoe reportedly led to a confrontation that, although seemingly resolved, reignited as both men were leaving. Outside the establishment, the argument escalated into a physical altercation. O'Hara, who had a concealed weapon permit, drew a handgun and fired, striking Mishoe. He would later claim he felt threatened and acted in fear. Following the shooting, O'Hara was also accused of pursuing the sole witness to the killing, Ryan Woodard, who had fled into the restaurant's kitchen. A struggle ensued, but Woodard was able to wrestle the gun away from O'Hara.
Law enforcement arrived to find a chaotic scene and O'Hara was soon arrested by officers from the Conway and Horry County police departments. He was subsequently charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and pointing or presenting a firearm. In the days following the shooting, Mishoe's family and friends remembered him as a hardworking man with a 'golden' heart who was the light of his family. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and four-wheeling and was known for his willingness to help others in his community. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against O'Hara, alleging the shooting was unprovoked and occurred while O'Hara was 'highly intoxicated.'
After being released on bond in January 2021, O'Hara's trial commenced in January 2024. During the trial, O'Hara testified in his own defense, but the jury ultimately found him guilty on all charges. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with 45 years for the murder charge. Prosecutors described the murder as one of the most senseless they had ever encountered, highlighting the profound loss experienced by Mishoe's longtime girlfriend and their three children. The conviction brought a measure of closure to a family and community still grieving the sudden and violent loss of a man remembered for his kindness and devotion.
