Latest news with #MyrtleBeachPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Make the kids look bad': Mom of Ocean Boulevard shooting victim, civil rights advocate want more answers about what happened
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The mother of a victim in April's officer-involved shooting on Ocean Boulevard and a civil rights leader say they are not satisfied with the Myrtle Beach Police Department's briefing and dashcam footage of the incident released on Thursday. Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock said in a recorded briefing Thursday afternoon that Officer Brandon O'Rourke shot and killed 18-year-old Jerrius Davis of Bennettsville, after Davis shot into a crowd on the boulevard on April 26. O'Rourke and two other officers who witnessed the shooting are all back at work after being on paid leave during the investigation. Eleven people were hurt in the shooting. Kendra Malloy, the mother of Serenity Chavis, who was one of the victims, said the dashcam footage that shows Davis shooting into a crowd and officers returning fire as he runs away is 'weak.' Malloy said she wants to see officers' body camera footage of the incident because the dashcam footage does not show the whole story. John Barnett, a civil-rights activist, said the footage released Thursday does not give the victims or their families any closure or justice. 'We want to know: Who are all the victims on April 26?' Barnett said. 'What are you all doing to resolve this issue? What are you doing to put a Band-Aid on this open wound? What are you doing in reference to counseling? What are you doing in reference to the investigation? Releasing excerpts of videos is just not enough.' Malloy and Barnett also said they do not think an incident at September football game in Laurinburg led to the shooting, like Prock said Thursday in the YouTube video released by the department. The Scotland County School district said Friday officers there were not aware of any incident during a game against neighboring Marlboro County. In the video, Prock said many events led up to the shooting, begnning with a 'heated exchange' during the football game. 'It's to, kind of, make the kids look bad,' Malloy said. 'There's no relation to a last year incident that has nothing to do with kids having a good time at Myrtle Beach.' Barnett also pushed back against police. 'They wanted to make sure that they get the heat off of the officers,' Barnett said. 'It's imperative we create a narrative that the police was not fully responsible for the shootings that happened on April 26.' Prock said three people have been arrested so far, including two juveniles, in the events connected to the Ocean Blvd shooting. She also said the 11 shooting victims, ages 13 to 43, had gunshot-related injuries and have all been released from the hospital. However, Barnett said the three victims he has spoken to are still in physical pain, still need counseling, and still need their voices heard. 'Treat our 11 victims of the April 26 shooting as if they were Hunter Biden, as if they were Donald Trump's children, as if they were someone who we all know and love,' he said. Barnett hopes to meet with Prock and Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune next week. For a timeline of the events authorities say led up to the boulevard shooting and to listen to Chief Prock's full statement, click here. * * * 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
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach PDs prepare for Memorial Day weekend
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer tourist season on the Grand Strand, and two local police departments are working to keep visitors and residents safe. Leading up to the holiday weekend, North Myrtle Beach police officers say they drive around with pamphlets, educating people on how to stay safe in the city. 'It has safety information, some laws, and ordinances that we see as a problem, like burnouts, stopping in the road, that kind of thing,' Lt. Sean Downey said. 'It's just a quick leaflet that says, 'Hey. Welcome. Thanks for being here. This is what we expect from you. If you need us, this is how you contact us.'' Downey says hundreds of officers will patrol the city's streets during the holiday weekend. 'We've upstaffed with out-of-town, state and local, partners,' he said. 'They all come in today, so we'll brief them today. We house them and feed them for the weekend. We'll have north of 70-plus officers that will augment our officers. So, we'll have right around 200-plus officers on the road.' For the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, Downey told News13 the city is setting up a traffic chute on Friday. It will affect northbound traffic from 37th Avenue South to 27th Avenue South. The South Carolina Highway Patrol and SLED will also be along the traffic chute. Similarly, the Myrtle Beach Police Department says traffic will be one-way on Ocean Boulevard this weekend. The northbound lanes are reserved for emergency personnel. News13 asked beachgoers how they feel about the upcoming summer traffic. 'I'm sure, later on, it'll get kind of bad, which I'm kind of dreading,' Mina Jung said. 'But it'll be OK. I love coming to the beach, so it's worth it.' Downey says North Myrtle Beach Ocean Rescue also increased lifeguard staffing for Memorial Day Weekend. Many lifeguards are already on the beach. 'We have QR codes on all of our lifeguard towers and our beach crossovers,' Downey said. 'So, people can scan that, and it gives them the current conditions.' Downey says the city spends months preparing for more than 100,000 people Memorial Day Weekend. He says that when people feel safe, they come back. 'People have come here for years,' Downey said. 'Most everybody you talk to came here on vacation and moved here for that reason. There's a reason for that. There's a reason they want to come, and we want to keep that going.' The Myrtle Beach Police Department said that during any weekend or special event, it plans to have additional resources and staffing in 'areas of interest.' * * * 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.
Fox News
02-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
Southern vacation hot spot fires back at poor safety rating following shooting: 'Fake news'
Myrtle Beach—a popular, coastal South Carolina city for snowbirds and locals alike—is firing back against a study ranking it the No. 2 most unsafe beach in the United States. Seven of the top 10 most dangerous beaches listed in the study from Everly Life, an insurance company, are in Florida, including New Smyrna Beach at No. 1, followed by Miami Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miramar Beach, Panama City Beach and Ponce Inlet. The only other non-South Carolina beach included on the list is Oak Island, North Carolina, which is ranked at No. 3. Researchers examined four main risk factors when determining the relative danger of popular U.S. beaches, including crime rates, shark attacks, drownings and wind conditions. It is unclear why no West Coast or Northeast beaches were listed; Everly Life did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital. Myrtle Beach crime concerns have been heightened since April 26, when a shooting in the entertainment district left the shooter dead and 11 injured. Myrtle Beach officials described the shooting as an isolated incident. But locals and city officials disagree that Myrtle Beach is unsafe. Meredith Denari, director of communications and creative services for the City of Myrtle Beach, described the Everly Life study as "misleading, flawed and clearly skewed," noting that it was not peer-reviewed in a statement to Fox News Digital. "I would call this study 'fake news.'" "Like many reports produced by life insurance companies, its primary purpose appears to be generating clicks rather than serving the public interest," Denari said. "This is evident in the use of outdated, inconsistent and irrelevant data, including shark attack records dating back to 1882 and wind and crime statistics from 2009–2015 and 2023, respectively. None of these sources accurately reflect the year 2025. Also, the City of Myrtle Beach was not incorporated until 1938. Even then, it was pretty difficult to reach. I would call this study 'fake news.'" She added that "Myrtle Beach is a wonderful place to live and visit for thousands of families," and the "Myrtle Beach Police Department continues to report downward trends in crime, and downtown revitalization efforts are well underway." Denari described the Saturday shooting as "a tragic, isolated incident." "Myrtle Beach police officers, already nearby, immediately returned fire, likely saving numerous lives when they fatally shot the perpetrator," she said. "While details are limited at this time due to an open investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, violence has no place in Myrtle Beach," Denari said. "Saturday's incident is not reflective of the experiences of millions of people who visit the area every year and enjoy the beautiful coastline, our restaurants, family-friendly entertainment and businesses." Melissa K., a seven-year Myrtle Beach resident originally from Connecticut, told Fox News Digital she does not feel unsafe in the southern beach town, where she moved for milder weather and her job. "And I'm happy I did," she said. Locals, she noted, don't spend much time in the downtown area where the shooting happened. Ocean Boulevard can attract unsavory behavior from visitors who stay out late at bars and engage in rowdy behavior, she said. Melissa also noted that Myrtle Beach is less expensive than other beach towns in the Carolinas. "At the end of the day, things could happen anywhere at any time in any place. The world's gotten a little bit crazy." "It has attracted, unfortunately, some of the wrong people, from what I've gathered in my seven years being here," Melissa said. "As locals, we really don't go on the boulevard or that district, especially at night, and especially alone. But at the end of the day, things could happen anywhere at any time in any place. The world's gotten a little bit crazy." The shooting, Melissa said, was "shocking" for the community, but dangerous incidents of that scale are not normal for Myrtle Beach. "I do love living here. It's a great place to visit, golf, eat, have a good family vacation," she said. "Unfortunately … you just have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and that just goes for anywhere. It's still a beautiful place to visit and hang out at the beach. I feel safe."
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Myrtle Beach police require ‘complex' investigation of all officer-involved shootings
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — In the aftermath of an officer-involved shooting, the Myrtle Beach Police Department launches a 'complex' investigation that pulls in multiple officials and arms of city government. 'It is the purpose of this procedure to make these difficult investigations less traumatic for all involved and provide a framework to ensure that a fair, consistent and complete investigation is completed,' the department's seven-page protocol says. 'The incidents present a unique set of circumstances, which make them more complex than routine investigations.' Officials said Monday that three officers are on paid administrative leave following a Saturday night incident on North Ocean Boulevard that left 18-year-old Jarrius Davis dead from a gunshot wound fired by police. One of the first steps taken after an officer-involved shooting is notifying city leaders including its attorney, manager and others as needed. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is also informed. Deadly officer-involved shooting at least 25th instance of gun violence on Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach since 2020 A police command post is established 'out of sight and sound' of the involved officers 'so that conversations regarding the management of the incident don't unnecessarily raise concern or the stress level of the officers.' The on-scene supervisor is in regular contact with dispatch to 'ensure there is adequate manpower to cover all patrol and ancillary duties,' as the investigation unfolds in its earliest stages. As for the involved officer, the following procedures are taken: Narration on body-worn camera that they're no longer actively involved in the incident and are departing the scene Immediate contact with spouse, partner or significant other and immediate family advising them of their role in an officer-involved shooting Immediate deactivation of personal social media accounts and suggestion that family members do the same Option to speak with an attorney before giving any statement that may be used in a criminal investigation Provided updates on the subject's condition It's standard procedure for officers involved in a shooting to be placed on administrative leave or temporarily reassigned until the investigation is complete. 'While the intent of this assignment is to limit the officer's integration with the public, the officer shall still have full arrest powers and may be armed unless otherwise stated by the Chief of Police,' the city's policy says. Should an involved officer need to be in court, it's up to them to stay on top of their pending cases and dates. It's not a simple process for an officer to get back into the field after a shooting. Within three days of any incident, officers are required to meet with a mental health professional compensated by the city. From there, impacted officers are given the chance to attend a South Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program-led critical incident seminar debrief. Incident location visits are also required before an officer is reassigned with a duty weapon and given a psychological assessment. * * * 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.
India Today
27-04-2025
- India Today
One dead, 11 injured in mass shooting at South Carolina's Myrtle Beach
A mass shooting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on Saturday night, left one person dead and at least 11 others injured. The incident unfolded around 11:50 p.m. on North Ocean Boulevard, a popular tourist area, near Ripley's Believe It Or Not, just off the to authorities, officers responded to a disturbance involving multiple individuals, during which one person began firing a weapon. In response, an officer opened fire, fatally wounding the described the chaotic scene, with one woman seen clutching her leg in pain while officers rushed to her aid. The Myrtle Beach Police Department later confirmed that the suspect, who was shot by the officer, died from their injuries. The police also clarified that the officer was not injured in the incident. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, while the Myrtle Beach Police Department will carry out its internal shooting occurred in the city's entertainment district, at the start of the busy tourist season. Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune assured the public that the situation could have been much worse. 'Our officer responded quickly, and in my opinion, saved lives,' she said. 'This was an isolated event and doesn't reflect the overall safety of Myrtle Beach.'advertisementCouncilman Gregg Smith echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that it was an isolated incident and not representative of the usual experience for visitors. Police Chief Amy Prock also noted that major crimes in the area have decreased significantly since 2015, thanks to improved technology and community policing some visitors expressed concern over the shooting, such as Nikki Petracco, who stated it made her rethink future trips to tourist areas, others like Washington D.C. visitor Sebastian McMillon remained undeterred. 'There's trouble everywhere,' he said. 'We can't let fear stop us from enjoying our vacation.'As the investigation continues, the mayor urged the public to refrain from making premature judgments, promising that the final SLED report would be made public once completed. It's expected to take about three weeks to gather all the necessary Rep. Nancy Mace also responded to the tragedy, expressing her condolences for the victims and their families. 'South Carolina stands strong, and we will not tolerate violence of any sort in our communities,' she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
