BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. () — After an off-duty Beaufort County sheriff’s deputy was suspended for pointing a gun at kids during an incident that went viral online, learned more about the deputy thanks to confirmation from neighbors.

Neighbors told the man in the video is 19-year veteran William Squires. obtained his employment records to find out if there were any signs of issues before Sunday’s confrontation.

On Sunday, three kids were forced to the ground. A gun was pointed at them multiple times by a man with a Beaufort County Sheriff’s office vest, badge, and gun.

His employment and personnel file detailed a relatively unproblematic record. Last year, he was even promoted from senior sergeant to master sergeant.

Squires had two complaints filed against him, one “use of force” report and was at fault for six traffic accidents in his 19 years with the department.

The two complaints made against him came from the same couple in 2016, where Squires conducted a traffic stop with another deputy.

The first complaint claimed Squires was “unprofessional” and “rude” in the way he spoke to the couple. The second claimed the individual’s prescription medication was taken by Squires and some medication was missing once it was retrieved. 

At the time, records show Squires served on the Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force for the Bluffton and Hilton Head area in the county.

The sheriff’s office ruled that Squires did not violate any policy violations in either of the previous complaints.

A “use of force” report was also filed against him in 2021.

The report said Squires arrived to observe a traffic stop conducted by another deputy after reportedly smelling marijuana.

During the stop, the person in question allegedly became irate and the individual was reported to not have complied after being asked to exit the vehicle.

According to records, “soft empty hand techniques were used to control the person to the ground.”

The person reported they were injured with broken ribs, but further results from the hospital showed that to be false. The sheriff’s office found the deputy used a reasonable amount of force, and no further action was needed.

They will host a Q&A Friday, Oct. 3 with media in response to the recent suspension of the deputy.

The families involved told that they have obtained lawyers to potentially pursue legal action.