SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — After an intense five-hour manhunt, authorities apprehended a suspect hiding in a docked boat on May 1. Police said he struck two children and an adult with a vehicle, sending two of them to the hospital.
The tension-filled afternoon unfolded as teams of local police and federal agents combed the small island community in search of the armed suspect. The island was locked down, and residents were warned to stay in place.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
FBI agents walk up the dunes between homes on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Sullivan’s Island Chief of Police Glenn Meadows addresses reporters about law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Isle of Palms.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers walk from home to home on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers walk from home to home on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement’s center of operations during a manhunt on, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
FBI agents and other law enforcement officers walk from home to home on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement sweep streets, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
FBI agents walk up the dunes between homes on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
FBI agents move through a small grove of trees between homes during a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
A law enforcement helicopter scans from above during a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers mingle at a central staging area, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers speak with residents during a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Law enforcement officers, including Sullivan’s Island Chief of Police Glenn Meadows, search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Law enforcement officers, including these FBI agents, search for an armed man after he reportedly hit and injured multiple children with a car and fled the scene on Sullivan’s Island, Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Sullivans Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows speaks to members of the media at a press conference after a manhunt concluded for a hit-and-run suspect, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Isle of Palms.
Sullivans Island Mayor Pat O’Neil speaks to members of the media after the conclusion of a manhunt for a hit-and-run suspect, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Isle of Palms.
Patrons at The Boathouse watch a press conference with Sullivans Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows after the conclusion of a manhunt for a hit-and-run suspect, Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Isle of Palms.
Docks lead into the creek behind Sullivans Island where a manhunt suspect was found hiding in a boat, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Isle of Palms.
Shortly before 6 p.m., authorities sent a mobile alert revealing that they had captured Justin Collin Adams. He had been on the run since just before 1 p.m. when the children and adult were struck.
It was unclear what prompted the hit-and-run outside a daycare at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St., near Breach Inlet, which separates Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. Early on, police said the victims may have been hit intentionally.
The injured adult was either a parent or teacher, said Sgt. Matthew Storen, Isle of Palms Police spokesman. The two children attended the church’s daycare. At least one victim was run over by the vehicle, he said.
The lockdown was lifted after Adams was apprehended. The search teams had hunted for him on foot, in vehicles, golf carts and by helicopter.
Law enforcement officers sweep homes door to door on a manhunt, Thursday, May 1, 2025, on Sullivans Island.
Henry Taylor/Staff
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office will handle the criminal investigation. Adams was placed in the county’s custody. What charges may be filed wasn’t announced immediately.
Adams was not hurt in the apprehension, Sullivan’s Island Police Chief Glenn Meadows said.
There is no criminal record in the tri-county area for a person named “Justin Collins Adams,” according to court records.
Adams’ age and hometown were not released.
SIPD has released the identity of the suspect involved in the hit-and-run. Justin Collin Adams is still at large and possibly armed with a knife. He was reported to be on foot, wearing a red shirt and dark shorts. Please call 911 if you see him.#chsnews pic.twitter.com/u4uUaUItnT
— Isle of Palms Police (@IsleofPalmsPD) May 1, 2025
