Fatal shooting in Aiken County prompts manhunt for suspects

Stephon Xzavier Dunbar, 23, left, and Shirlette Dainelle Hayes, 29.

Date: March 29, 2024

The Aiken County Coroner’s Office has initiated an investigation into the shooting death of 32-year-old Tavaris Burley, a resident of North Augusta.

Burley succumbed to gunshot wounds following a shooting incident on Wednesday evening, which transpired at a residence located in the 900 block of Old Aiken Road.

According to the Aiken County Coroner Darryl Ables, Burley was pronounced dead at the scene, and his body is scheduled for autopsy on Friday in Newberry.

Tavaris Burley is shown in this photo provided by his daughter, Amari Burley.

Aiken County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Abdullah has issued a public appeal for assistance in locating two suspects wanted in connection with Burley’s murder. The suspects have been identified as Shirlette Dainelle Hayes, 29, and Stephon Xzavier Dunbar, 23.

The incident unfolded on Wednesday around 5:22 p.m., when deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the 900 block of Old Aiken Road. Witnesses recounted seeing Hayes and Dunbar fleeing the scene in a vehicle shortly after the incident.

Hayes is described as a Black female, standing 5’8” tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Dunbar is identified as a Black male, 6’00” tall, weighing around 130 pounds, also with black hair and brown eyes. Both suspects are considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Hayes and Dunbar to contact the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office at (803)648-6811. Additionally, tipsters can submit information anonymously through the Sheriff’s Office website.

Note: If you have a better photo of Tavaris Burley to share, please text it to 803-487-3224.

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The Author

Greg Rickabaugh is an award-winning crime reporter in the Augusta-Aiken area with experience writing for The Augusta Chronicle and serving as publisher of The Jail Report. He also owns AugustaCrime.com. Rickabaugh is a 1994 graduate of the University of South Carolina and has appeared on several crime documentaries on the Investigation Discovery channel. He is married with two daughters.

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