A shooting late on Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resulted in one fatality and 11 injuries in a bustling tourist location. The incident occurred around 11:50 p.m. on North Ocean Boulevard, a well-known site frequented by visitors.
Police officers monitoring the vicinity responded to a disturbance involving multiple individuals. During the event, one person started shooting, as reported by the Associated Press. In reaction, an officer fired their weapon, resulting in the death of the shooter. The deceased was identified as Jerrius Davis, 18, from Bennettsville, South Carolina, by Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard.
The events took place near Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction, close to the beach. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as shots were fired, causing panic among the crowd. Michael Howard, in the vicinity, described hearing gunshots and seeing people fall. He witnessed a girl collapse after being hit and observed blood at the location. “It was just very traumatizing,” he told ABC 15.
Another witness recalled standing with family when someone shouted “gun,” prompting people to flee in various directions. After ensuring his niece’s safety back at their hotel, he returned to the scene, observing Davis firing his weapon before being shot by the officer. He distinctly remembered seeing Davis fall.
The cause of the initial disturbance and the subsequent escalation remain undisclosed. The Myrtle Beach Police Department stated that the officer acted in response to an immediate threat and took rapid action.
Eleven individuals injured in the shooting received treatment at local hospitals. Details of their injuries have not been released. The police announced an ongoing investigation into the incident and an internal review of the officer’s actions. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is also participating in the investigation.
Online video footage shows the aftermath, with one person lying face down on the sidewalk while two officers restrain another individual. A woman is seen holding her leg and shouting, as officers provide assistance.
The area was cordoned off with police tape on Sunday morning, closing North Ocean Boulevard between Eighth Avenue and 16th Avenue. The road reopened later in the afternoon after authorities completed their initial investigation.
Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican representing areas near Myrtle Beach, commented on the shooting via social media, expressing her heartbreak for the victims and their families. She stated that South Carolina would not tolerate violence in its communities and thanked the first responders.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department issued a public statement, offering “prayers and deepest sympathies to everyone affected by this incident” and thanked the public for their patience as investigations continue.
