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One Dead, 11 Injured in Myrtle Beach Shooting as Officer Fires During Disturbance

By James Seidel | CC News Network

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A spring night in Myrtle Beach, on Ocean Boulevard turned deadly Saturday when gunfire erupted during a street disturbance, leaving one person dead and 11 others injured in the heart of the city’s entertainment district, according to law enforcement.

Officers with the Myrtle Beach Police Department were responding to a disturbance involving multiple individuals around 11:50 p.m. near the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard when someone opened fire, police said in a Sunday press release.

A responding officer, citing an immediate threat, discharged their weapon. The individual shot by police was later pronounced dead.

The deceased was identified by Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard as an 18-year-old male from Bennettsville, located roughly 100 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach. Eleven other individuals sustained injuries during the incident and were being treated for various wounds as of Sunday.

The officer was not injured, officials confirmed.

SLED to Investigate

As standard protocol in any officer-involved shooting in South Carolina, the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has launched an independent investigation. The Myrtle Beach Police Department is also conducting an internal review.

Police have not yet said whether the suspect who fired first was the person shot by the officer. No charges or arrests were announced by Sunday evening.

Authorities are urging anyone with information or video footage related to the incident to contact the Myrtle Beach Police Department at 843-918-1382 or reach out directly to SLED.

A Night That Could Have Been Worse

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune praised the officer’s rapid response and credited the quick action with preventing a greater tragedy.

“Our officer saw what happened, and when he saw that an altercation was taking place and a gun was being shot, the officer responded very quickly and, in my opinion, saved lives,” Bethune told local media.

Bethune emphasized the isolated nature of the incident and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to safety as the tourism season begins.

“This is a great place to visit. It’s not an unsafe place at all. And I’m not making light of what happened in any way,” she added.

The mayor said a full report from SLED is expected within the next three weeks and pledged transparency when the findings are released.

Officials Respond

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) posted her condolences on social media, writing,

“Devastated by the tragic shooting in Myrtle Beach. Our hearts are torn apart for the victims and their families… South Carolina stands strong, and we will not tolerate violence of any sort in our communities.”

The Myrtle Beach Police Department echoed those sentiments in a statement posted online:

“Our hearts and continued prayers are with all those affected, as well as their loved ones during this difficult time.”

Crowd, Chaos, and Questions Ahead

The incident occurred during one of the busiest weekends of the year along the Grand Strand, drawing concerns about public safety and law enforcement preparedness.

City officials reiterated that the disturbance was an isolated event and not representative of general conditions in the tourist district.

While investigators continue gathering evidence and reviewing footage, questions remain about the circumstances that led to the gunfire, how many individuals were involved, and what role—if any—organized groups or previous disputes may have played.