At least 11 people were hospitalized following a mass shooting late Sunday evening in the beach town of Little River, South Carolina. The Horry County Police Department (HCPD) reported the chaotic incident occurred around 9:30 PM on Memorial Day weekend, sparking a rapid emergency response from police and fire rescue teams.
Video footage circulating on social media captures a flood of emergency vehicles rushing to the scene on Watson Avenue, a quiet residential street about 20 miles from Myrtle Beach. While 11 victims were confirmed to have been transported to nearby hospitals, officials say the total number of those shot remains unclear. Additional victims were reportedly taken to medical facilities via private vehicles.
Authorities are urging residents to steer clear of the area as the investigation continues in what they describe as an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community. A suspect has not yet been publicly identified.
Adding to the weekend’s turmoil, a North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to a separate call nearby. The officer is currently in stable condition, with no other injuries reported from that event.
This tragic shooting follows a night of unrest at Black Bike Week in Atlantic Beach, another popular Memorial Day event drawing over 400,000 attendees annually. On Saturday night, fights erupted during a concert, triggering a stampede that sent at least 10 people to the hospital. Despite the chaos, organizers confirmed the festival continued until its scheduled 3 a.m. close.
Interim Town Manager Linda Cheatham acknowledged the disturbances but praised the prompt response by police and medical personnel to assist those injured.
This violent Memorial Day weekend has reignited concerns about public safety at large gatherings, underscoring the growing challenge of mass shootings and violence sweeping communities across the United States.
