Victim ID’d, suspects on the loose after murder outside North Augusta

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A day after a murder just outside North Augusta, authorities are looking for two suspects – one of whom is out on bail as a suspect in another shooting just around the corner.

And in a strange coincidence, the murder was reported at an address that was the site of another fatal shooting four years ago.

The victim of Wednesday’s fatal shooting was identified as 32-year-old Tavaris Burley, described by neighbors as a nice man and a father.

Investigators are asking for information on the whereabouts of suspects Stephon Xzavier Dunbar, 23, and Shirlette Dainelle Hayes, 29.

The drama unfolded after Aiken County deputies were called around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to 928 Old Aiken Road – although the street number was redacted from deputies’ incident report.

Deputies found Burley lying face-down next to a car. The Aiken County Coroner’s Office says he was pronounced dead on the scene.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Friday, Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables said.

A witness told deputies she’d seen Dunbar exit the residence and then start shooting at the victim, then Dunbar fled with a woman.

Dunbar and Hayes are believed to have driven away from the scene, according to deputies.

Hayes is described as a Black female, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Dunbar is described as a Black male, 6 feet tall, weighing 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Both should be considered armed.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to call 803-648-6811. Tipsters can also send a direct message with information at www.aikencountysheriff.net.

After deputies arrived at the scene, they immediately blocked Old Aiken Road.

Marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office and North Augusta Department of Public Safety sped along roads nearby.

Drones flew over the woods, and law enforcement officers were in full camouflage uniform, circling the area.

The sounds of screaming could be heard about 45 minutes after the incident, continuing for at least 15 minutes.

Neighbors were talking nearby, discussing the murder victim and saying friends had been with him just a few hours earlier.

The shooting is the latest in an outbreak of violent crime that’s affected the CSRA since April 2022, claiming scores of lives.

But it’s not the first one at 928 Old Aiken Road.

On July 17, 2020, deputies were called to that address, where they found Carlos J. Turner Sr., 44, of Jackson, in a back room, fatally shot.

Deputies said they arrested Richard Ernest Posey, 56, of Ridge Spring, who was still at the home when they arrived.

Witnesses told deputies there had been a verbal argument between Turner and Posey.

Posey was charged with voluntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to court records. He was released on $45,000 bond for manslaughter and $5,000 for the weapon charge, according to records.

Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Abdullah says he’s not aware of a connection between the two fatal shootings.

This latest shooting isn’t the first one Dunbar has been suspected of.

When Wednesday’s shooting happened, Dunbar was out on bail on charges from a March 9, 2023, incident at Liberty Hill Road and Vidot Court, just around the corner from 928 Old Aiken Road.

After that shooting injured two people, Dunbar, of Beech Island, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, tresing and malicious injury to animals or property, according to jail records.

That shooting happened after a dispute in a backyard, according to a witness.

Here’s a look at the court records for Dunbar in connection with the Vidot Court case:

Since mid-April 2022, more than 150 people have been killed in an outbreak of violent crime across the CSRA. Communities large and small have been affected on both sides of the Savannah River.

Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs, and many of the victims as well as suspects have been young men.

Hallie Turner, Audrey Dickherber and Lois White contributed to this report.

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