It happened right when the 2025 tourist season was supposed to be hitting its stride. Late on a Saturday night in April, the neon lights of Ocean Boulevard didn't just reflect off the storefronts—they flashed against the blue and red strobes of a dozen police cruisers. If you’ve ever walked the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard, you know the vibe. It’s loud, it’s salty, and it’s usually full of families grabbing ice cream at Peaches Corner or teenagers wandering toward the arcades.
But on April 26, 2025, that script flipped.
A "mass shooting in Myrtle Beach" is a headline that makes every local cringe and every vacation-planner pause. Honestly, it’s a gut punch for a town that lives and dies by its reputation as a family-friendly getaway. Eleven people were wounded that night. Eleven. One person died—the shooter himself, an 18-year-old named Jerrius Davis.
The Reality of the Mass Shooting in Myrtle Beach
The chaos started around 11:50 p.m. Police say it wasn't some random, planned-out attack on the public. Instead, it was a "disturbance" that spiraled out of control. Basically, a group of people got into a fight—the kind of argument that should have ended with a few insults or maybe a scuffle. Instead, Davis pulled a gun.
He started firing into the crowd.
Myrtle Beach police officers were already nearby, which is pretty much always the case on the Boulevard during peak hours. One officer saw the immediate threat and fired back. Davis was hit and later died from his injuries. While the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took over the investigation to ensure everything was above board with the officer-involved shooting, the damage was done.
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Three miles of beach-front property suddenly felt very small.
Just a few weeks later, over Memorial Day weekend, another incident rocked the area. This time it was in Little River, just about 20 miles north. A private party on a charter boat ended with 10 people shot after the boat docked. If you're counting, that's two major incidents in a single spring. It's no wonder people started using the "Murder Beach" nickname again, even if the city's PR team hates it.
Why Does This Keep Happening on Ocean Blvd?
If you ask the locals, they'll tell you the Boulevard is a different world after midnight. Melissa K., a resident who moved down from Connecticut, told reporters that locals mostly avoid that specific district at night. It’s a classic tourist trap dynamic. You’ve got high density, lots of out-of-towners, and—let's be real—a lot of alcohol.
- Density: Thousands of people packed into a few blocks.
- Access: It’s easy to get in and out, making "drive-by" style altercations more frequent.
- The "Vibe": Late night on the Grand Strand can get rowdy.
City officials, like Meredith Denari, are quick to point out that these are "isolated incidents." They aren't wrong in a statistical sense. Millions of people visit the Grand Strand every year and go home with nothing but a sunburn and a tacky t-shirt. But "isolated" doesn't mean much when you're the one diving behind a trash can because you heard pops that didn't sound like fireworks.
Fighting the "Unsafe" Label
Shortly after the April shooting, a study by a group called Everly Life ranked Myrtle Beach as the second most unsafe beach in the country. The city went on the offensive immediately. They called it "fake news." They pointed out that the study used old data, some of it stretching back to 2009.
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The Myrtle Beach Police Department actually reports that overall crime has been trending downward. They’ve added 30 officers in recent years. They’ve installed hundreds of cameras—a "Real Time Crime Center" that monitors the Boulevard 24/7. When the April 2025 shooting happened, those cameras and the heavy police presence are likely why more people weren't killed. The response time was measured in seconds, not minutes.
How to Stay Safe While Visiting
Look, I'm not here to tell you to cancel your vacation. Myrtle Beach is still a massive draw for a reason. The golf is great, the seafood is better, and the beach is... well, it's the beach. But you've gotta be smart.
Don't hang out on the 900 block of Ocean Boulevard at 1:00 a.m. unless you're prepared for a crowd that might be looking for trouble. Most of the violence is "interpersonal," meaning it starts with a beef between people who know each other or a snap judgment during a fight. If you see a group getting loud and aggressive, just walk the other way. Head back to your resort or move a few blocks north.
Also, pay attention to the "event" weekends. Memorial Day weekend—often referred to as Atlantic Beach Bikefest or Black Pearl Cultural Heritage weekend—historically sees a massive influx of people. More people equals more potential for friction. The police ramp up their presence significantly during these times, but the sheer volume of visitors is a lot to manage.
What to Do if You're Caught in a Disturbance
If the worst happens and you find yourself near gunfire, forget being a spectator.
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Run if you can. Hide if you can't. Fight only as a last resort.
Most people's first instinct is to freeze and try to figure out what the sound was. "Was that a firework? A car backfiring?" In Myrtle Beach, especially near the entertainment district, assume it's a threat until proven otherwise. Get behind something solid—engine blocks of cars are better than car doors. Concrete pillars are better than wooden walls.
Seeking Justice and Recovery
For those actually caught in the crossfire of the April mass shooting in Myrtle Beach, the road back is long. It's not just the medical bills; it's the trauma. Legal experts often point out that property owners have a "duty of care." If a business knew an area was prone to violence but didn't provide adequate security, they might be liable.
Victims have been looking into civil lawsuits for "negligent security." This isn't just about money; it’s about forcing these businesses to hire more guards, install better lighting, and take the "isolated incident" excuse off the table.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
If you are planning a trip to the Grand Strand, take these concrete steps to ensure your safety and peace of mind:
- Choose Your Location Wisely: Consider staying in North Myrtle Beach or the southern end (near Market Common) if you want a quieter, more residential feel away from the Ocean Boulevard "strip."
- Monitor Local News: Before you head out for the night, check local outlets like WMBF or WPDE. If there's a major event or a reported disturbance, you'll know to avoid certain blocks.
- Use the "Buddy System": It sounds cliché, but never walk the Boulevard alone after dark. Stick to well-lit areas with high foot traffic from families.
- Trust Your Gut: If a bar or a street corner feels "off," it probably is. The 2025 shootings almost all began with verbal altercations. If you see a fight brewing, leave the immediate area immediately.
The reality of the mass shooting in Myrtle Beach is that it's a tragedy layered over a complex city trying to grow. The "Murder Beach" moniker might be an exaggeration, but the risks aren't zero. By staying informed and staying aware, you can enjoy the coast without becoming part of the headline.