Full Notification

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a man wanted in connection to a weekend shooting incident on Hilton Head Island.

At approximately 10:45 p.m. on August 19, 2022, deputies responded to the Wendy’s restaurant located at 2 Nature’s Way on Hilton Head Island for the report of “shots fired”.

When deputies arrived, they that learned 19-year-old Fernando Montano, an employee who was working at the restaurant, fired two shots out of the drive thru window, presumably at a customer or vehicle waiting in the drive thru line.  Montano then ran out of the restaurant, continuing to fire shots at the vehicle as it sped away. 

Investigators do not believe this incident to be a random act of violence upon an unknowing customer.   The driver of the vehicle, nor any passengers inside of the vehicle, have come forward to provide a statement to law enforcement. Their identity remains unknown.

Based on information provided by witnesses and evidence collected at the scene, investigators obtained warrants for the arrest of Fernando Montano for Aggravated Breach of Peace and Unlawful Carry of a Firearm. 

This investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information about the incident or Fernando Montano’s whereabouts, is encouraged to contact Sgt. Doug Seifert at 843-255-3414, or if wishing to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry at 843-554-1111.