1 Dead, 11 Injured During Police Officer-Involved Shooting at Popular South Carolina Tourist Spot
One person is dead and nearly a dozen people were injured during a shooting that involved police in a popular tourist destination in South Carolina.
According to a police statement shared on Facebook, officers who were near the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach at around 11:50 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 26, saw an altercation break out between multiple people.
One person fired a weapon during the fight, police said, and one of the officers at the scene "responded by discharging their firearm."
Police said the person shot by an officer died from their injuries. Eleven other people have reported being injured and are currently receiving medical treatment. The officer who discharged their gun was not injured.
One man who witnessed the shooting described the incident as "traumatizing" to local outlet WPDE, and recalled seeing people near him drop to the ground after being shot.
"I remember hearing gunfire shots just start going off everywhere. I remember seeing a girl fall that had been injured. I remember seeing the guy who had been shot fall to the ground," Michael Howard told the outlet. "I seen blood everywhere. It was just very traumatizing."
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The Post and Courier reported that the shooting took place near where police are stationed during the city's Summer Emergency Vehicle Access Plan. A section of Myrtle Beach's 9th and 8th avenues, as well as North 16th Avenue to 9th Avenue, are blocked off every Friday and Saturday night, and officers patrol the area during the busy summer season.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have asked the public to share any information or videos taken of the shooting on April 26.
"We continue to remind those who may have information or video footage related to this incident to come forward. Information can be shared with SLED or the Myrtle Beach Police Department at 843-918-1382," the department wrote on Facebook.
"Our hearts and continued prayers are with all those affected, as well as their loved ones during this difficult time," the MBPD added.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for further information on Sunday, April 27.
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