Gunfire during Memorial Day weekend in South Carolina injures 11

At least 11 victims were hospitalized after a Memorial Day weekend shooting on a party boat in Little River, South Carolina. — Image credit: Horry County Police Department via AP

This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

Shooting incident

According to police in Horry County, a shooting occurred on the 'Hurricane II' party boat docked near Watson Avenue in Little River, South Carolina, on Sunday night. The incident happened around 10 p.m. along the Intracoastal Waterway during Memorial Day weekend.

Victims and injuries

Horry County Police state that at least 11 people were hospitalized following the shooting. Authorities also mentioned that more victims might have gone to hospitals by private vehicles. The exact number of people involved and the severity of their injuries remain unclear at this time. Officials have not confirmed whether all injured individuals were shot.

Investigation status

Authorities have not released information about any suspects or motive, and no arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing, and police advised residents to avoid the area as they continue to process the scene. Horry County Police indicated the incident was isolated to the original location and reported no ongoing threat to the public.

Full story

At least 11 people were hospitalized following a Memorial Day weekend shooting Sunday night on a party boat in Little River, South Carolina, according to police. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. near a dock along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Horry County Police said more victims may have been taken to hospitals by private vehicles. Authorities described the investigation as ongoing and have not released information about any suspects or motive. No arrests have been made.

Where did the shooting happen?

Police said the gunfire broke out on the “Hurricane II” party boat docked near Watson Avenue. Officers closed the marina and were seen investigating onboard the vessel. Crime scene tape blocked off the parking lot entrance.

Dozens of police cars and ambulances responded to the area, and neighbors reported hearing sirens and seeing officers patrolling the water in boats. One resident said she initially mistook the shots for fireworks.

Who was shot or injured?

Authorities believe the incident was isolated to the original location. Horry County Police said there was no ongoing threat to the public. They advised residents to avoid the area as the investigation continues.

Officials have not confirmed whether all the injured individuals were shot. The exact number of people involved and the severity of their injuries remain unclear.

A North Myrtle Beach police officer responding to an unrelated call discharged his weapon at a nearby marina, injuring his leg. The officer was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to city officials.

What is Little River known for?

Little River is a coastal town of about 11,000 residents located 25 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach. The area is known for its marinas, deep-sea fishing and waterfront tourism. The Intracoastal Waterway is a central feature of the town’s recreational and boating activities.

Horry County officials have not announced any updates on the investigation or whether they’ve identified a suspect. As of Monday morning, police continued to process the scene.

Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor) and Matt Bishop (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.

Tags: Memorial Day weekend, shooting, South Carolina

[craig nigrelli]

A NIGHT ON THE WATER TURNED VIOLENT IN COASTAL SOUTH CAROLINA, WHERE A SHOOTING ABOARD A PARTY BOAT SENT AT LEAST 11 PEOPLE TO AREA HOSPITALS.

]IT HAPPENED SUNDAY NIGHT NEAR A MARINA IN THE TOWN OF LITTLE RIVER, JUST OUTSIDE MYRTLE BEACH. AUTHORITIES SAY THE BOAT WAS DOCKED WHEN GUNFIRE BROKE OUT, SPARKING A LARGE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE ON LAND AND WATER.

EMERGENCY CREWS RUSHED THE WOUNDED TO NEARBY HOSPITALS, AND POLICE SAY OTHERS MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN PRIVATE VEHICLES. THE FULL NUMBER OF VICTIMS—AND THE EXTENT OF THEIR INJURIES—IS STILL BEING CONFIRMED.

OFFICERS DESCRIBED THE SITUATION AS ISOLATED. THEY SAY THERE’S NO ONGOING THREAT TO THE PUBLIC. THE INVESTIGATION REMAINS ACTIVE, AND AS OF MONDAY MORNING, NO ARRESTS HAD BEEN MADE.

OFFICIALS HAVEN’T SAID WHAT LED TO THE SHOOTING OR WHETHER ALL OF THOSE INJURED WERE SHOT. THE MOTIVE, NUMBER OF SHOOTERS, AND POTENTIAL SUSPECTS ALL REMAIN UNCLEAR.

IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER ACCIDENTALLY DISCHARGED HIS FIREARM, INJURING HIMSELF. HE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN STABLE CONDITION.

THE MARINA WHERE THE SHOOTING OCCURRED HAS BEEN CLOSED AS POLICE CONTINUE TO COLLECT EVIDENCE.

FOR MORE OF OUR UNBIASED, STRAIGHT FACT REPORTING – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY, OR LOG ON TO SAN.COM.

Why this story matters

A shooting on a party boat in Little River, South Carolina over Memorial Day weekend resulted in multiple hospitalizations and ongoing investigations, underscoring public safety concerns about active shooter events.

Public safety

The event highlights community concerns about active shooter events, emphasizing the need for effective law enforcement response and emergency preparedness.

Ongoing investigation

The current lack of suspects or motives, as reported by Horry County Police, illustrates the complexities authorities encounter in investigating violent incidents and maintaining public communication.

Community impact

The incident's location in a popular tourist and residential area raises issues regarding the broader impact on local residents, tourism, and perceptions of safety in Little River.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 178 media outlets

Behind the numbers

Reports consistently state that at least 11 people were taken to hospitals after the shooting in Little River, South Carolina. Of those, 10 suffered gunshot wounds, and one had a non-gunfire-related injury. Several victims were listed in critical but stable condition. Police also received reports of additional victims arriving at hospitals in private vehicles.

Context corner

Little River is a coastal town near Myrtle Beach, known for boating and local tourism. Incidents involving gun violence at large gatherings have been increasingly common during major holidays in the U.S., with Memorial Day weekend often seeing a rise in both celebratory events and related disruptions, occasionally resulting in heightened law enforcement presence.

History lesson

Memorial Day weekends in the United States have historically seen increased gatherings and, occasionally, incidents of violence. Similar incidents in previous years have sparked national debate about gun safety during holidays. However, shootings related to altercations at private gatherings remain less common than those at public venues.

Sources

Bias comparison

Media outlets on the left frame the South Carolina shooting as an isolated incident, emphasizing the human toll with terms like "mass shooting" and focusing narrowly on immediate victim impact and ongoing investigations, adopting a subdued, cautious tone exemplified by phrases such as "developing story" and "no risk to the community."
Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
Media outlets on the right contextualize the event within a broader pattern of Memorial Day weekend violence, spotlighting the "party boat" setting and residents reportedly "terrified," employing emotionally charged language like "flood local hospitals" and referencing "spate of violence" to underscore community alarm.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

178 total sources

Key points from the Left

At least 11 people were hospitalized due to a shooting in Little River, South Carolina, during Memorial Day weekend.
The shooting occurred on Watson Ave in Little River, a town located 30 minutes north of Myrtle Beach.
Horry County Police reported that the scene is active and an investigation is ongoing.
The police said the incident appears to be isolated, indicating no risk to the community.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

Authorities reported that more than a dozen individuals were transported to medical facilities following a shooting that occurred around 9:30 p.m. Sunday in Little River, South Carolina.
The incident took place on a primarily residential street near the Intracoastal Waterway, and authorities have not released details regarding suspects or motives.
Numerous emergency vehicles, including police cars and ambulances, responded to the scene, while investigators received social media notifications about additional victims arriving at hospitals in private transportation.
A North Myrtle Beach officer who was responding to the incident unintentionally discharged his weapon, injuring his leg at a marina approximately three miles away; he remains in stable condition, according to spokeswoman Lauren Jessie.
Around an hour and a half following the incident, police characterized it as isolated and assured that the community was not at risk.

Report an issue with this summary

See Hide headlines from Center sources 71 sources

Key points from the Right

At least 11 people were injured in a shooting on Sunday night in Little River, South Carolina, according to the Horry County Police Department.
Law enforcement is investigating the incident but has not identified a motive, and no arrests have been made.
Police stated that it was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.
A North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to the incident and is currently in stable condition, according to spokesperson Lauren Jessie.

Report an issue with this summary