Man Avoids Prison After Shooting at Pickup Truck in Bluffton

Okatie resident Ty'Quan Qua'Mel Graham pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Ty'Quan Qua'Mel Graham, 21, of Okatie, South Carolina, was convicted of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle after shooting at a passing pickup truck on Goethe Road in Bluffton in June 2023. Graham was sentenced to two years in prison through a negotiated plea but avoided additional prison time by receiving credit for 818 days already spent in the Beaufort County jail since his arrest.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and retaliation in the Bluffton area, with the shooting on Goethe Road being one of two apparent retaliatory incidents that occurred within 15 minutes of each other. The plea deal and Graham's avoidance of additional prison time raise questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in addressing repeat offenders and deterring future gun violence.

The details

According to the police report, Graham was in the front yard of a Goethe Road home when he fired two rounds at a passing pickup truck driven by Bluffton man Juan Daniel Moctezuma, 21. About 15 minutes later, Moctezuma allegedly returned to the area on foot and fired several pistol rounds at the same residence, sending multiple people on the front porch running for cover. Moctezuma's charges of attempted murder, discharging firearms into a dwelling, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime remain pending in Beaufort County court.

  • On June 21, 2023, Graham allegedly fired two rounds at Moctezuma's pickup truck.
  • About 15 minutes later, Moctezuma allegedly returned and fired several pistol rounds at the same residence.
  • Graham was arrested in Orangeburg County in December 2023 and charged in connection with the June shooting.
  • Graham pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Thursday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Ty'Quan Qua'Mel Graham

A 21-year-old Okatie resident who was convicted of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle.

Juan Daniel Moctezuma

A 21-year-old Bluffton man who was the driver of the pickup truck that Graham allegedly shot at, and who later allegedly returned and fired several pistol rounds at the same residence.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The shots fired at his pickup stemmed from a local dispute that 'all started in high school,' although he said he could not identify the shooter.”

— Juan Daniel Moctezuma

What’s next

Moctezuma's charges of attempted murder, discharging firearms into a dwelling, and possession of a firearm during a violent crime remain pending in Beaufort County court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence and retaliation in the Bluffton area, with the plea deal and Graham's avoidance of additional prison time raising questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring future incidents.