At least 11 victims have been hospitalized following a mass shooting on Memorial Day weekend in Little River, South Carolina. The incident unfolded around 9:30 PM on Sunday, according to the Horry County Police Department (HCPD).
Emergency crews from both police and fire rescue responded swiftly to the chaotic scene. Video footage shows a swarm of emergency vehicles responding to the active shooting situation. Horry County Fire Rescue confirmed that 11 people were transported to local hospitals, although the number of actual gunshot victims remains unclear.
Additional reports indicate several other individuals were also taken to hospitals via personal vehicles. Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid the area, as it remains an active crime scene.
The HCPD emphasized that this appears to be an isolated incident and stated there is no ongoing threat to the community. However, a suspect has yet to be publicly identified. Source: Daily Mail.
Adding to the weekend’s violence, a North Myrtle Beach police officer reportedly accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to a separate call in the same area. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition, and no others were injured during that incident.
The mass shooting took place on Watson Avenue, a primarily residential street located about 20 miles from Myrtle Beach. It coincides with another major Memorial Day event — Black Bike Week in Atlantic Beach — which experienced its own share of chaos the previous evening.
On Saturday night, fights broke out during a concert event at Black Bike Week, causing a stampede and leading to at least 10 people being hospitalized. The festival draws over 400,000 attendees annually and this year marked its 45th anniversary.
Interim Town Manager Linda Cheatham confirmed the fights triggered panic and injuries. "Adequate police and medical staff were on hand to aid as needed and transport individuals to the hospital," she said in a statement. Despite the disturbances, the event continued until its scheduled close at 3 a.m.
This violent weekend raises fresh concerns about public safety during major gatherings and the increasing frequency of mass shootings across the U.S.
