The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that occurred on Coyote Trail Thursday evening, sending one man to the hospital.

According to the victim’s relatives, Branden Kennedy, 30, was shot five times in the chest about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The incident occurred on Coyote Trail between Pine Barren Loop and Wolf Pen Island Road.

Chris Glover, Kennedy’s brother-in-law, said Kennedy is in critical condition at Memorial Hospital. Glover said Kennedy, who grew up in Richmond Hill but now lives in Chatham County near Joyner's Corner, was in the area at the time of the shooting to visit a relative.

“We were told that some people thought the music in his car was too loud and they approached him about it,” Glover said. “We can’t get any more information from the sheriff and they told us not to even go out there to see where it happened.”

Glover said Kennedy was found in the street next to his vehicle. He has since undergone two surgeries and faces more.

A report from the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office indicates deputies were dispatched to the scene for a “suspicious vehicle” complaint. No one from the sheriff’s office was immediately available Monday for comment due to Presidents Day, although a witness listed on the report did confirm the incident occurred when contacted by the Bryan County News.

“We don’t know if this was an isolated incident or retaliation or what,” Glover said. “Our whole family is scared for our safety. It seems like it could have been someone he knew, for them to get that close and shoot him five times in the chest.”