In the early morning hours of April 27, 2018, the community of Hanahan, South Carolina, was shaken by an act of violence that claimed the life of 15-year-old Payton Robert Antonio Velarde. A White male known for his friendly nature, Payton was fatally shot around 1:17 a.m. at the intersection of Belvedere and Sedgefield drives in a crime that shocked an area where such violent incidents were considered rare.
Payton, who resided in nearby Goose Creek, was beloved by his friends and
community. He was identifiable by a tattoo of three roses on his forearm. The Berkeley County Coroner's Office confirmed that his death was the result of a gunshot wound and officially ruled it a homicide, launching an investigation into the tragic event.
Despite the passage of time, the investigation into Payton Velarde's murder has yet to yield any arrests or publicly identified suspects. The case remains an open and active investigation, with local authorities continuing to seek information from the public that could lead to the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for the teenager's death. The community continues to mourn the loss of a young life cut short and awaits justice in his unsolved case.
