Full Notification

At approximately 2:20 this morning, Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a report of a fight in progress in the yard of a residence on Horton Drive, Burton. When deputies arrived, they observed a male subject swinging a large bladed weapon — machete — toward the ground. When the subject was directed by deputies to drop the machete, he did so and fled the area on foot. When deputies approached the area, they found a male victim, identified as 66-year-old Rodney Watson, lying wounded on the ground.

Sheriff's Office deputies secured the scene for Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to respond to treat Rodney Watson, while other deputies searched the area for the male subject, who was not immediately located. EMS transported Watson to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where, as short time later, he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff's Office investigators and the Crime Scene Unit responded to the Horton Drive scene to interview witnesses and process for forensic evidence. When interviewed, numerous witnesses identified the male subject responsible for attacking Watson with the machete as 46-year-old Michael Goode, who was determined to have an active arrest warrant regarding an unrelated assault and battery incident. While investigators were conducting the interviews, the Crime Scene Unit collected the machete and forensic evidence. 

At approximately 8:45 this morning, Sheriff's Office deputies received information that Michael Goode was inside of a residence on Horton Drive. Deputies proceeded to that residence, surrounded it and called for Goode to surrender. Goode came out of the residence and was taken into custody on the arrest warrant for the unrelated assault and battery incident.

Currently, Sheriff's Office investigators are interviewing Goode and obtaining warrants from a Beaufort County magistrate to charge him with Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime in the death of Rodney Watson. Following his interview, Goode will be transported to the Beaufort County Detention Center and incarcerated.    

The Beaufort County Coroner's Office is scheduling a forensic autopsy to be conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina to determine the cause and manner of Rodney Watson's death. Anyone who has information regarding this case is urged to contact Staff Sergeant Todd Duncan at 843-255-3418 or Crimestoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111, if wishing to remain anonymous and for possible reward. 

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office appreciates your partnership in the safety of our community.