In the early morning hours of August 25, 2023, the life of 36-year-old Adrian 'AJ' Villarreal of Hendersonville, North Carolina, was tragically cut short in a fatal shooting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A Hispanic/Latino male, Villarreal was a beloved father, son, and brother. He was known for his dedication to physical fitness, particularly weightlifting, and held a deep Christian faith.
Those who knew him remembered his love for the outdoors and sports.
The incident unfolded around 1:50 a.m. in the 900 block of Chester Street. Myrtle Beach police officers on patrol heard the sound of gunshots and quickly discovered Villarreal suffering from a gunshot wound. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, but tragically succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into his death was swiftly classified as a homicide.
In connection with the deadly shooting, authorities arrested two individuals from Myrtle Beach. Johnathan Verbos, 29, was taken into custody and faced a series of serious charges, including murder, unlawful carry of a pistol, unlawful neglect of a child, and possession of a controlled substance. A second individual, 32-year-old Brittany Wolfe, was also arrested and charged with unlawful neglect of a child and possession of cocaine. Following their arrests, both Verbos and Wolfe were denied bond on all charges. The investigation suggested that Verbos had been trying to distance himself from Villarreal prior to the shooting. A search of the residence shared by Verbos and Wolfe led to the discovery of an unattended child and illegal substances, which resulted in the child neglect and drug charges.
