HORRY COUNTY, SC — A crash on Highway 90 in the Longs area on Jan. 6 escalated into a fatal shooting after a verbal confrontation between the drivers, according to the Horry County Police Department.
Shortly after two vehicles collided near Long Bay Road, an exchange between one of the drivers and another man became heated. A woman who was at the scene recorded video showing the man who later fired the shot appearing very angry, using profane language and directing insults at the other driver. At one point he is heard saying he had “one more chance…,” then the situation turned violent.
As the other man began to walk toward him, he a handgun. In the video, the walking man turns and begins to move away, but is shot by the armed man before he leaves the area.
Police later identified the shooter as 23‑year‑old Elijaih Thurman Taylor. He was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The victim, 33‑year‑old Paul Jones Greenwood of Nichols, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Horry County law enforcement officials say the crash itself was minor, but tensions quickly escalated into a verbal altercation that ended in deadly force. The case remains under active investigation.
Interactions following collisions can be emotionally charged, and adding insults or threats can increase the risk of violence. While defenders of self and others must sometimes make split‑second decisions, situations like this highlight the value of avoiding escalation whenever possible. Giving space, refraining from engaging with an angry person, and calling law enforcement rather than confronting someone aggressively can help reduce the likelihood that a disagreement turns deadly.
Sad to see this happen. He saw “Red” as they say. De-escalation is the key and before it would get to this point. Thanks for sharing Luke.