In what was meant to be a simple transaction for an iPhone, a man lost his life in a fatal shooting in Columbia, South Carolina. Shihadeh Bir, a 54-year-old man of Palestinian descent, was killed on Sunday, February 15, 2026, during a planned meeting to sell the phone. The incident, which has shocked the local community, highlights the potential dangers of online marketplace meetups.
The fatal encounter took place around 1:10 p.m.
on Cutlers Court, situated off Broad River Road near the Harbison area. According to the Richland County Sheriff's Department, the meeting was arranged for the sale of an iPhone. However, the interaction turned violent when the prospective buyer allegedly intended to rob Bir and shot him multiple times. The Richland County Coroner's Office later confirmed Bir's identity and the cause of death.
A swift investigation by the Richland County Sheriff's Department led to the arrest of a suspect the following day. Rasheed Hawkins, 23, was taken into custody around 1 a.m. on Monday and has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is currently being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Shihadeh Bir, a resident of Irmo, was remembered as a kind and hardworking man who was dedicated to his family. Born in Jerusalem, Palestine, he was an entrepreneur who was in the process of building his own pressure washing business. He is survived by his mother, a brother, two sisters, and his loving partner of 17 years. His family has announced that funeral services will be held in Charleston.
