Weldon Boyd, friend seek immunity with ‘Stand Your Ground’ hearing set in Horry
The shooters in a 2023 fatal shooting in Horry County that has received national attention in recent months are scheduled for a hearing next month that could grant them immunity for their actions.
North Myrtle Beach businessman Weldon Boyd and his friend, Kenneth “Bradley” Williams, shot and killed Scott Spivey, 33, of North Carolina, Sept. 9, 2023, on Camp Swamp Road in what police have labeled a road rage incident.
Boyd, owner of Buoys on the Boulevard, and Williams have avoided criminal charges after law enforcement agencies considered the shooting self defense, but evidence made public after Spivey’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the two has cast doubt on that assertion.
Four motions in that civil case are set to be heard in Horry County by Circuit Court Judge B. Alex Hyman during his next non-jury trial roster, which runs June 9-13, according to online court records.
Among those motions set to be considered is whether Boyd and Williams qualify under South Carolina’s Protection of Persons and Property Act, often referred to as the “Stand Your Ground” law.
The law, which most states have in some form, allows people to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against a perceived threat. South Carolina’s law specifically eliminated the duty to retreat when a person is somewhere they have a right to be.
If Judge Hyman determines Boyd’s and Williams’ actions qualify under this act, they would be granted immunity both from any future criminal charges related to the shooting as well as the civil case, which would be dismissed.
The other motions set to be heard include Williams’ motion to dismiss, the Spivey family’s motion to compel production of evidence, and Boyd’s motion to prevent the release of his medical records.
Horry police officer misconduct investigations
The shooting has received widespread news coverage in recent months after Spivey’s family shared evidence, including recordings of Boyd’s phone calls in the aftermath of the incident, with reporters.
Those recordings showed Boyd had minimal remorse for his actions, telling Williams during one call that he had a “f****** blast” during the gunfight, and telling his mom that he chased Spivey, who “was terrified.”
Those recordings also revealed a close relationship with then-Horry County Police Department Deputy Chief Brandon Strickland, who told Boyd he was working “in the shadows” to help him.
Strickland was forced to resign in March and is currently under criminal investigation by SC Law Enforcement Division related to his conduct with Boyd’s case. Last week, HCPD Chief Kris Leonhardt also announced the department had terminated longtime officer Paul Damon Vescovi for “conduct unbecoming of an officer” and other policy violations related to his actions on the case.
The termination came after journalist Beth Braden noticed on Vescovi’s body camera footage at the scene that he wrote “Act Like a Victim” and “Camera” on a notepad that he showed to Boyd.
Leonhardt announced Wednesday that three additional officers may be facing disciplinary actions after seven missing dashcam videos related to the case were discovered mislabeled.
The recent revelations have led Horry County Council and a group of state legislators representing the area to call on SLED and Gov. Henry McMaster to reopen the criminal investigation. SLED has declined to reopen the case, and McMaster has stated he would wait until SLED concludes its investigation into HCPD officer misconduct before deciding if any action is necessary.
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 12:14 PM.
