Jerrius Davis dies in fatal Myrtle Beach shooting
Fatal Myrtle Beach shooting death of Jerrius Davis – Obituary
Jerrius Davis, 18, from Bennettsville, was fatally shot Saturday night during an officer-involved incident along North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, according to Horry County Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard.
Authorities reported that around midnight, a disturbance involving several individuals broke out in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard. During the chaos, someone fired a gun, prompting a nearby police officer to respond with gunfire, resulting in Davis being shot and killed.
Mayor Brenda Bethune said the officer acted swiftly and appropriately, suggesting that the officer’s quick actions may have prevented further loss of life. She emphasized that the situation could have turned out far worse.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department stated it would conduct an internal review of the officer’s actions, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is also investigating the incident, as is standard with any officer-involved shooting. Bethune assured the public that the full report would be made available once SLED’s investigation concludes.
Video footage from the scene showed people fleeing the area as police rushed in to contain the situation. Eleven people were injured during the disturbance.
Despite the tragic event, city officials stressed that Myrtle Beach remains a safe place for residents and tourists. Councilman Gregg Smith called the shooting an isolated event, not reflective of the typical experience in the city.
Some visitors expressed concern over the violence, but many, including longtime tourists, said the incident would not deter them from returning.
Mayor Bethune noted that overall crime rates in Myrtle Beach have dropped significantly in recent years, thanks to increased security measures like more cameras and advanced technology.
The SLED investigation is expected to take about three weeks. Authorities urged the public to be patient while they await the official findings.