In a troubling incident on Saturday night, eleven individuals sustained injuries during a shooting in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, which involved an 18-year-old gunman, Jerrius Davis, who was subsequently killed by police.
Interestingly, media outlets have opted to label this event not as a mass shooting, but rather as an “officer-involved shooting.” This classification raises eyebrows, especially considering that organizations like the Gun Violence Archive typically define mass shootings as any instance where at least four victims are shot, excluding the shooter. One wonders if this selective terminology is a strategic move to downplay the narrative surrounding gun violence this time around.
A video circulating on social media captures the chaotic aftermath, showing police apprehending an individual identified as the shooter, while a woman, apparently injured, is seen pleading for help. Amidst the turmoil, a bystander can be heard vocally expressing disdain towards law enforcement, stating, “Ya’ll b*tches some pigs, boi!”
According to police reports, officers responded to a disturbance involving multiple individuals around 11:50 PM, just as the gunfire erupted.
A witness recounted to ABC 15, “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. I seen blood everywhere. It was just very traumatizing.”
Jerrius Davis, the shooter, reportedly succumbed to his injuries following the return fire from police. In the wake of the incident, both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Myrtle Beach Police Department have launched investigations, the latter including an internal review.
The question of whether the officers’ actions will be scrutinized, particularly in light of the shooter’s race, remains unanswered.
As reported by ABC 15:
As of Sunday morning, eleven individuals are injured, and one is deceased following the shooting that occurred along the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Officers have confirmed that SLED will conduct an independent investigation as per established protocols.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department will also perform an internal review of the incident.
The department stated: “We appreciate the public’s patience as both investigations proceed, and all leads are thoroughly examined.”
In response to the incident, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) expressed her condolences on X (formerly Twitter), condemning violence in any form within communities.
Devastated by the tragic shooting in Myrtle Beach.
Our hearts are torn apart for the victims and their families. South Carolina stands strong, and we will not tolerate violence of any sort in our communities.
God bless the first responders on the scene. https://t.co/Li8umRkF5T
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) April 27, 2025
Former candidate for the Horry County School Board, David Warner, criticized Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune’s “woke anti-police policies,” suggesting that they are contributing factors to rising violence in the area.
Enough of the woke city policies by Mayor Bethune! Under her leadership we have gained DEI offices, Woke anti-police policies, pride rallies, and BLM protests. Time for her to go! Let’s get back to policing and make it clear this type of behavior isn’t allowed here!
Thank God…
— David Warner (@davidwarner843) April 27, 2025