Gunman pistol whips man; couple reports robbery minutes later Saturday in Burton

A man and a couple were approached by a gunman demanding money Saturday in Burton, and police are investigating whether the two incidents are related.

No suspects have been identified as of Tuesday, said Maj. Bob Bromage, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called out to County Shed Road just after 8 p.m. Saturday on a call about an assault and battery. The victim told them a stranger took out a gun and tried to rob him. The stranger was wearing a ski mask, red shirt and dark pants when he jumped out of a dark sedan and demanded money from the man.

When the man “resisted,” police said in the report, the stranger punched him in the face and took out a gun and pistol whipped him in the face. The gunman left in the sedan headed toward Parris Island Gateway before police arrived.

The man had swelling and redness to his face but did not want to be taken to the hospital, police said in the report.

At 8:06 p.m. at Beaufort Mobile Home Park, a married couple reported that they were sitting outside the front porch area of their home when a man with a gun came up to them demanding money. The man reached into the husband’s back pocket and took his wallet with approximately $220 in cash.

The description of the gunman was similar to the County Shed Road assailant, according to the report. The couple were not hurt.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents may call Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.