Memorial Day Weekend Shooting at North Myrtle Beach Marina Injures 11 as Police Hunt Suspects
Multiple injuries reported after shooting at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Day event involving a charter boat, prompting police investigation.
South Carolina authorities are intensifying their search for the individual or group responsible for a mass shooting that left 11 people injured Sunday evening in North Myrtle Beach. According to the Horry County Police Department, the violent episode unfolded following an altercation aboard a charter boat during a private Memorial Day gathering.
Police reported that 10 of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, while an additional person experienced an unspecified injury not related to the gunfire. Some victims had to be pulled from the water by emergency responders. “Of those, the worst of the injured are in critical but stable condition at area hospitals,” police said in a statement issued Monday.
Eyewitness videos and photographs posted to social media captured a significant law enforcement response near Harbourgate Marina, a well-known destination for both local boaters and tourists who regularly embark on charter trips. The incident underscored mounting concerns about safety during the busy holiday weekend.
In a separate but related event, a North Myrtle Beach Police Department (NMBPD) officer was wounded by his own firearm while responding to the scene. Authorities explained that the officer was entering a dock gate when his rifle discharged twice, with one bullet hitting his leg. Surveillance footage confirmed the officer had both hands on the gate at the time of discharge, leading officers to initially believe the shots came from the marina area. The officer underwent surgery after being transported to a local hospital. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating this aspect of the incident.
As of Monday evening, law enforcement had not yet identified or apprehended any suspects connected to the charter boat shooting. The Horry County Police Department assured the public that there is currently no ongoing risk to the community, though detectives remain actively engaged in the investigation.
The shooting comes amid heightened anxiety in the Myrtle Beach region, which has seen a rise in violent episodes in recent months. On April 26, a separate shooting in the city’s entertainment district left one shooter dead and 11 others injured—a situation also described as isolated by city officials.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding Sunday’s shooting to come forward, as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those involved. Meanwhile, local leaders and tourism officials are working to reassure residents and visitors about ongoing efforts to ensure public safety throughout the summer season.
