Latest news with #JerriusDavis
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Myrtle Beach employees say armed teenagers disrupt tourist district
Teenagers and young adults who come to downtown Myrtle Beach to party have become a public safety issue, business owners and employees said. The group will walk up and down the strip while not patronizing businesses, said a beach store owner who we will call Tom. He spoke on the condition of anonymity. The teenagers, who bring their guns, stand in front of his building and block customers while often drinking and smoking cigarettes or marijuana. Tom stated he feared retaliation from city officials if he spoke out against the city leaders. Other store owners declined to be interviewed, citing the same reason. At best, these teens are an annoyance; at worst, they are unpredictable young adults with deadly weapons. On April 26 at about 11:50 p.m., Jerrius Davis, 18, shot four rounds into a group on North Ocean Boulevard near Mr. Fries, a Myrtle Beach Police video shows. In response, officer Brandon O'Rourke shot five rounds, which killed the Bennettsville teenager. In total, 11 people were hurt in the shooting. It's unclear how many injuries were caused by Davis, as at least one person said she was allegedly shot by a Myrtle Beach police officer, The Sun News reported. When The Sun News asked employees if downtown feels safe or dangerous, we got a variety of responses. One gift shop employee said he is from New York City and he has seen much worse, while Tom said people have flashed their guns at him in a threatening manner. 'It's kids with weapons, guns, thinking they can do whatever they want, that they are immune. It has a strong effect on the locals,' Tom said. Downtown employees had different responses on the crime in downtown Myrtle Beach and the city's reaction. Some applauded the local police officers, stating that they respond quickly when the boulevard turns ugly, while others blamed the increase in police presence for a drop in sales. The traffic loop, which shuts down the left-bound lane of North Ocean Boulevard on Friday and Saturday nights, is the most controversial. Gustavo Alonso, who works at a gift shop on North Ocean Boulevard, said closing the lane causes the store to lose customers but he also does not blame police. 'I can't think of something else to do,' Alonso said. Other employees, who declined to give their names, said the increased number of officers may scare away vacationers. There were a few police officers out at 6 p.m., but more appeared as the night went on. Tom and Keko Henry, the manager at Shopicana Resort Wear, said they have been working with police to improve safety. For example, officers advised them to leave their lights on at night to deter people from standing outside the stores after hours. Depending on the night, some stores will close early. Alonso said if it is too rowdy, he will shut down the store. 'During these times, we'd be closing around 12 o'clock, 1 o'clock. But since spring break, we have been closing at like 10 o'clock. 11 o'clock is pushing it,' Tom said. The summer season has not begun, but Tom and Alonso said they have fewer customers than normal, although they do not blame this on the recent shooting. Tom said his sales had been declining prior to the shooting. This is again blamed on the crowds. Alonso said he worries the large crowds of young people may scare away other tourists. Tom and Alonso also blamed their lack of sales on the ban on vapes and drug paraphernalia in downtown Myrtle Beach. They said CBD products and pipes used to be popular items. In an attempt to make the city more family-friendly in 2018, city council voted to ban the sale of these items on Ocean Boulevard from 6th Avenue South to 16th Avenue North, The Sun News reported. In a press conference following the April shooting, Myrtle Beach Mayor Bethune said she does not want cheap motel rooms and sexually explicit T-shirts attracting the wrong kind of person to the city. Tom disagreed with this, stating that inappropriate t-shirts are not the real issue. 'I don't think any business selling a shirt that says 'I heart country boys' or 'Henny-thing can happen' or any of those sorts is affecting what's going on out there,' Tom said. 'What needs to be monitored is kids are walking around drunk with bottles of liquor.'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer-involved shooting on Ocean Boulevard deemed ‘justifiable homicide,' police report shows
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A Myrtle Beach police officer's use of deadly force to stop a man from shooting into a large crowd along Ocean Boulevard last month was ruled a 'justifiable homicide' by the agency. The Myrtle Beach Police Department on Friday released incident reports stemming from the April 16 incident at 913 S. Ocean Blvd. that left 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville dead and 11 others injured. 'During the altercation, one of the individuals began firing a weapon. At that time, based on the immediate threat, an officer responded by discharging their firearm,' the incident report states. 'The individual shot during the officer's response has passed away as a result of his injuries.' The report doesn't name which officer fired at Davis. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating, as is standard procedure in any officer-involved shooting. The confrontation was at least the 25th instance of gun violence along Ocean Boulevard since 2020, according to a News13 analysis. Officials said days after the shooting that three officers are on paid leave. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Some Ocean Boulevard businesses closing earlier on weekends after deadly officer-involved shooting
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Some businesses on Ocean Boulevard are closing earlier on weekends for safety reasons, following the Myrtle Beach police officer-involved shooting in April. Myrtle Beach police say just before midnight on April 26, 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville fired shots into a crowd of people between 9th Avenue North and Ocean Boulevard. An officer shot and killed Davis. Eleven people were injured during the shooting, including 15-year-old Serenity Chavis, who claims she was hit by an officer's bullet. An employee at a clothing and gift shop called Generationx, who wanted to remain anonymous, says the store has not changed its hours since the shooting. However, she says she needs to stay safe at work, for her children at home and her fellow employees. 'What I really think about is the people injured, and how that could've been me or one of my employees,' she said. 'That right there, alone, put a little bit of fear in my little heart.' The employee says that before the shooting, she would leave the store around midnight. Now, she leaves at 9 p.m. With peak tourism season just around the corner, the employee is worried the shooting may mean fewer customers and less money this year. 'Is it going to really stop the flow?' she asked. 'That's really what everybody's questioning at the moment. I pray that it don't.' The employee is also concerned that visitors are learning about the shooting and thinking they are not safe shopping downtown. 'We should be able to thrive a little bit better,' she said. 'Well, we should be able to, if people would put that a little bit to the side. It really don't have nothing to do with the businesses. You got to look at other stuff, not the businesses.' News13 spoke to employees at Myrtle Beach Fries and Boardwalk Paradise General Store, who are temporarily closing their stores earlier on weekends because of the shooting. They did not want to talk on-camera. One Myrtle Beach Fries employee says she is closing earlier, but only until tourism season begins on Memorial Day Weekend. Boardwalk Paradise General Store is also closing a few hours earlier, until they receive more information about the shooting from the city and police department. News13 also spoke to Governor Henry McMaster at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Pro-Am on Wednesday. He says both businesses and their customers should feel safe on Ocean Blvd. 'They should realize that these things happen all over the place,' McMaster said. 'They don't happen here like they do in other places. We have great law enforcement. I would say be smart, be careful, and have a good time. I think they'll be very pleased with their visit.' A city spokesperson sent News13 a statement that said, in part, 'I don't think the decision of two businesses is reflective of the dozens of businesses in operation along this area of Ocean Boulevard.' She also said it is normal for business hours to change closer to the start of tourism season, and that the Myrtle Beach Police Department will have a strong presence on Ocean Boulevard. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
3 Myrtle Beach officers on paid leave after deadly Ocean Boulevard shooting; photos show chaotic scene
Editor's note: This story contains graphic photos that some readers might find disturbing. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — As News13 obtained new photos showing the chaotic scene of Saturday night's deadly officer-involved shooting on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, a police spokesman said three officers had been placed on paid administrative leave, the department's standard protocol after such an incident. Eighteen-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville died in the shooting that also left 11 other people with injuries. The investigation has been turned over to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which authorities said is also standard protocol. Authorities have yet to describe the other injuries. Myrtle Beach police require 'complex' investigation of all officer-involved shootings The shooting happened shortly before midnight at 913 N. Ocean Blvd., the Horry County Coroner's Office said. That's the address for Ripley's Mirror Maze. On Monday, News13 obtained graphic photos of the scene from a viewer, who asked to remain anonymous. The images show multiple officers and medical personnel treating two people near each other on the sidewalk, a man who is surrounded by three first responders and a woman who appears to have a leg injury. Police on Monday also addressed how the department handles its staff capacity on weekends throughout the year. Deadly officer-involved shooting at least 25th instance of gun violence on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach since 2020 'During anticipated busier weeks and weekends, we proactively address the increased demand on public safety personnel by up-staffing internally and coordinating with outside agencies in our area,' the spokesperson said. 'These partnerships allow us to enhance our presence and maintain quick response times.' The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau also released the following statement about the shooting late Monday afternoon. 'We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred late Saturday night on Ocean Boulevard,' Tracy Conner, the chamber's interim president and CEO, said in the statement. 'Our thoughts are with the individuals and families affected, and we are grateful for the swift response from law enforcement and emergency personnel. The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB continues to coordinate closely with city leaders, public safety officials and our tourism partners. The safety and well-being of our visitors and residents is always our top priority. 'We understand that incidents like this are concerning. However, Myrtle Beach is a safe and welcoming place for all. Public safety and tourism go hand in hand, and we support ongoing collaboration to ensure both remain strong. While any act of violence is unsettling, we remain confident in the strength of our community and the resilience of the Myrtle Beach brand. Visitor sentiment remains strong, and although Easter shifted travel patterns slightly this year, overall spring visitation has been healthy and we are anticipating a strong summer season. 'Our visitor services teams are active in the market and available to assist guests with questions or concerns.' Count on News13 for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Deadly officer-involved shooting at least 25th instance of gun violence on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach since 2020
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A deadly officer-involved shooting late Saturday night on Ocean Boulevard was just the latest such incident to happen on one of the city's popular streets. Saturday's incident resulted in the death of 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville. The street has seen several violent crimes over the past few years. Below is a breakdown of News13's coverage in each incident since 2020. Deadly shootings are italicized. Several shootings took place in the weeks surrounding Memorial Day in 2020, the first of which, a gang-related one, resulted in several injuries and several people being taken into custody. Seven people in total were taken into custody, including an active-duty U.S. Navy member. Several people were injured, but none of the injuries were life-threatening. Police said the shooting involved 'rival gang' members who had an ongoing dispute in Chesterfield County. Antonio Trayvon Brown, Jr., of Cheraw, pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, according to the solicitor's office. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Dennis Dashawn Stewart, 22, of Cheraw, also pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for his role in the shooting. There was also a shots-fired incident in the same area around the same time, but police believe no one was hit. The next shooting happened the day before Memorial Day, injuring four people in the area of 12th Avenue North. Six people were taken into custody. Another shooting happened about 24 hours later, this time on Memorial Day. It happened in the area of 15th Avenue South. Cedric Elmore Jr. of Greenwood was killed in the shooting. Mayor Brenda Bethune said the shooting was 'gang violence.' In 2021, Kemian Reese, 24, of Greenwood, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in Elmore's death. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Six people were charged and three people were hurt after a shooting at the Happy Holiday Motel at 507 N. Ocean Blvd. Willie Duffy, 24, was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder, one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime, discharging a firearm into a dwelling, and unlawful carry of a pistol. Bryson Pack, 18, of Rockingham, North Carolina, was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and resisting arrest, police said. Cody Alan Harding, 19, of Hamlet, North Carolina, was charged with possession of a stolen handgun and simple possession of marijuana, according to police. Three juveniles were also charged in connection with the shooting, a news release said. Police say they were charged with loitering for harmful purposes, minor in possession of a handgun and possession of a stolen handgun. They were also from North Carolina. Another shooting happened at the Ocean Crest Inn & Suites at 601 S. Ocean Blvd, resulting in two arrests and one injury. Jamario Lenard Stevenson, 22, of Florence, was charged with manufacturing or distributing crack cocaine, one count of manufacturing or distributing methamphetamine, one count of trafficking heroin and simple possession of marijuana. Alik Shalum Johnson, 24, of Conway was charged with one count of unlawful carrying of a pistol, one unlawful possession of a weapon, one count of manufacturing or distribution of methamphetamine, one count of manufacturing or distributing of crack cocaine, one count of possession of crack cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine, two counts of possession of heroin, one count of possession of MDMA and one count of simple possession of marijuana. One person received treatment for their injuries after a shooting at the Coral Sands Motel at 301 N. Ocean Blvd. Police said several people were taken into custody in connection with the shooting, the last — and at least the sixth — documented incidence of violence on Ocean Boulevard in 2020. A man was killed and nine people were taken into custody in a shooting on the second floor at the Waterpark Motel on South Ocean Boulevard, according to police. The coroner's office identified the victim as Jermaine Stewart, 43, of Conway. Authorities later charged John Whitney with murder in Stewart's death. Several other people were charged, including Michael Ray Phillips, 30, of Myrtle Beach, with accessory after the fact of armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, trafficking heroin, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a schedule IV substance, and simple possession of marijuana. Melissa Darlene Hudson, 28, of Forestbrook, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking heroin, possession of crack cocaine, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, financial transaction card theft, and simple possession of marijuana. Melissa Dawn Funderburk, 38, of Rock Hill, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, and simple possession of marijuana. Marion William Couick, 51, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of crack cocaine, and simple possession of marijuana. Bohannon Cassanova Martin, 30, of Myrtle Beach, was charged with trafficking crack cocaine. A person was shot twice in the right arm and once in the hip in the area of 4th Avenue North, according to police. The person who was shot was in possession of approximately six grams of a substance that field tested positive for marijuana and less than one gram of a substance that field tested positive for meth, according to police. Two vehicles were also hit by gunfire, according to a police report. Police did not name any suspects immediately after the shooting. Kyree Lavell Brown, 29, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and discharging a weapon into a dwelling in connection with a Labor Day shooting on N. Ocean Boulevard. Brown was walking north in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard at about 12:30 a.m. when he noticed the victim, according to warrants. He allegedly grabbed a gun from the person who was walking next to him and began shooting at the victim. After shooting at the victim, Brown allegedly ran toward the cut-through at Ripley's Haunted House and continued to shoot behind him as he ran away, according to the warrants. In the process, bullets hit Mad Myrtle Ice Cream, which was occupied by people. Authorities also later charged Jamario Lenard Stevenson with attempted murder and other gun-related crimes. A person was taken into custod, but no injuries were reported after a shooting in the 1200 block of N. Ocean Boulevard. Police said the shooting followed a fight. The person arrested was detained by a security guard from a nearby restaurant until officers arrived, police said. The shooting happened in the early morning of Nov. 24, 2021, when Adam Jarrett of Tabor City, North Carolina, was shot multiple times in the side and back at a hotel along Ocean Boulevard, the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office said. Jarrett managed to pull out his own gun and fire it at Evans, who was shot eight times. Ladarius Kaishawn Evans, 26, of Coward, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter the day before his trial, the solicitor's office said. Judge Alex Hyman sentenced Evans to 15 years in prison. The shooting happened at about 9 p.m. on N. Ocean Boulevard near 14th Avenue North, according to police. Two people were found with what appeared to be gunshot wounds lying on the ground outside of one of the victim's cars, according to a police report obtained by News13. A man was arrested after the shooting and later charged with murder after the victim — Rhonda Harris, 38, of Lancaster — died at the hospital weeks later. Lashawn Jarrett of Monroe, North Carolina, was charged with murder, first-degree assault and battery, discharging a firearm into a vehicle, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and simple possession of marijuana. Police were called at about 6:15 p.m. to a parking garage in the 2900 block of S. Ocean Boulevard for a fight. During the fight, one person was shot, police said. The person shot was treated on scene by EMS and is expected to be OK. Two people were detained in connection with the incident. Stephen Drayton-Thomling allegedly shot into an occupied room at the Summer Sands Motel, located in the 1400 block of S. Ocean Boulevard. According to arrest warrants obtained by News13, Drayton-Thomling and a victim got into an argument at the motel, and Drayton-Thomling hit the person in the head with a pistol. After the victim went back into a room where his juvenile daughter was also located, the warrants say Drayton-Thomling fired a shot toward them that went through a large glass window. Drayton Thomling was charged with attempted murder, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, discharging a firearm into a dwelling and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Officers were called to the area of 16th Avenue S. and Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach police said in a Facebook post. Officers responded at about 12:30 p.m. after getting a report about someone with a gunshot wound. Those involved in the shooting fled the area before officers arrived, according to police. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune released a statement to News13 Monday after a shooting on Ocean Boulevard was captured on video that garnered thousands of shares on social media. Edward Arnell Williams was booked into the Myrtle Beach jail on charges of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and discharging a firearm into a vehicle, records show. An 18-year-old North Carolina man and a juvenile were facing weapons and marijuana charges after a shooting Wednesday night on N. Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, police said. Both Elijah Bates, of Concord, North Carolina, and the juvenile, whose name has not been released, are accused of discharging a firearm within city limits and simple possession of marijuana, police said. No injuries were reported in the incident. The shooting happened at about 3:40 a.m. in the area of the Budget Inn at 501 N. Ocean Blvd., police said in a Facebook post. Police did not immediately release any information about injuries or a suspect or suspects. One person was hurt in a 'shooting incident' on S. Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, police said. Officers were called at 1:25 a.m. to the 1800 block of S. Ocean Boulevard. Police have not released any details about the incident but said the person's injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Anthony Maurice Garner, 44, of Albermarle, North Carolina, was arrested on one count each of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Myrtle Beach Police Capt. Christopher Starling told News13. Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said that Cedric Reddick, 31, of Columbia, died on the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Garner's family claimed he was acting in self defense. Calib Reginald Odom, 24, Odom allegedly shot two people with an Orbeez gun while they were walking in the area of 3rd Avenue South and then got into a fight with the victims after he was confronted by one of them, the police report said. After the fight, witnesses told police that Odom left and headed toward the beach. No one was hurt in the shooting. After determining his real identity, officers also learned that he had an outstanding arrest warrant in Florida, the report said. The nature of those charges remains unclear. No injuries were reported after a shooting in Myrtle Beach, police said on Facebook. Officers responded to the area of 2nd Avenue S. and Ocean Boulevard for a shooting, police said. It happened just before 9 p.m. Aaron Holston of Pickerington, Ohio, died at about 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center after he was shot in the 1200 block of S. Ocean Boulevard, Willard said. Myrtle Beach police said another person was also hospitalized. A Sea Mist resort security guard said he had no comment and did not say if the shooting happened at Sea Mist or another location on the block. Sea Mist's Quick Stop Grocery had giant locks on both front door handles. A receptionist at the Coral Beach Resort said the shooting happened at Sea Mist but was not sure whether it happened at the motel itself or at the Sea Mist Quick Stop Grocery. She said it happened between 12th and 13th avenues. No additional information about the shooting was immediately available. Omar Dean Beckford was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Online records show he was booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Thursday, where he remains as of this writing on a $500,000 bond. Police responded to the 1400 block of S. Ocean Boulevard for a shooting, the warrant shows. Officers viewed security footage that showed Beckford arguing with the person before pulling out a handgun and firing several rounds in their direction. Eleven people were hurt and one person was shot and killed in what authorities called a disturbance. The officer's name was not immediately available. It happened just before midnight in the 900 block of North Ocean Blvd., after officers noticed a disturbance involving multiple people. Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard on Sunday identified the person shot as 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville. Saturday's deadly shooting was at least the 25th documented instance of violence either on or near Ocean Boulevard since the start of 2020. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
