A shooting occurred late on Saturday night, April 26, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resulting in one fatality and injuries to 11 others in a bustling tourist area. The incident took place around 11:50 p.m. on North Ocean Boulevard, a location frequented by visitors and featuring various attractions.
Police officers on patrol in the vicinity responded to what they described as a disturbance involving multiple individuals. During the confrontation, one person began firing a weapon. An officer responded by discharging their weapon, fatally wounding the shooter. Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard identified the deceased shooter as Jerrius Davis, 18, from Bennettsville, South Carolina.
The event unfolded near Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction, close to the beach. Witnesses reported that gunfire led to chaos, causing people to panic. Michael Howard, a bystander, recounted hearing gunshots and seeing individuals fall. He observed a girl collapse after being shot and noted the presence of blood. “It was just very traumatizing,” he stated to ABC 15.
Another witness recounted being on the street with family when someone shouted “gun,” prompting people to scatter. After ensuring his niece’s safety at their hotel, he returned and witnessed Davis firing before being shot by the officer. He recalled seeing Davis fall to the ground.
Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the initial disturbance or the factors leading to the escalation. The Myrtle Beach Police Department stated that their officer acted in response to an immediate threat and reacted promptly.
Eleven individuals injured in the shooting were treated at local hospitals. The severity of their injuries has not been disclosed. Police indicated that they are continuing to investigate the circumstances and will conduct an internal review of the officer-involved shooting. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is also participating in the ongoing investigation.
Video footage circulated online shows part of the aftermath, including an individual face down on the sidewalk while two officers restrain another person. A woman is seen holding her leg and shouting, as officers appear to provide aid.
The area remained cordoned off with police tape on Sunday morning, and North Ocean Boulevard was closed between Eighth Avenue and 16th Avenue. The road reopened later in the afternoon after authorities completed their initial examination of the scene.
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican whose district includes areas near Myrtle Beach, commented on the shooting via social media, expressing sympathy for the victims and their families. She added that South Carolina would not tolerate violence in its communities and thanked the first responders at the scene.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department expressed condolences in a public statement, offering “prayers and deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this incident” and thanked the public for its patience as investigations continue.