News Summary
A mass shooting during a Memorial Day weekend party in Little River left at least ten individuals wounded, including a police officer who accidentally shot himself. The incident occurred near a boat dock after an altercation on a charter boat. Several of the injured were taken to local hospitals, with one in critical condition. Witnesses reported chaos as first responders arrived at the scene. Security concerns have been raised about the event, which was not private and involved ticket sales. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Little River, South Carolina – At least ten individuals were wounded in a mass shooting during a Memorial Day weekend party in Little River on May 25, 2025. The incident, which police believe to be isolated, occurred near a boat dock by the Intracoastal Waterway in the aftermath of an altercation on a charter boat.
The party, hosted by a woman known as “Jackie O,” departed the dock at 6 PM and returned at 9 PM. Gunfire erupted as attendees were exiting the boat. Among the injured, at least one person sustained a non-gunfire-related injury, complicating the emergency response efforts.
The Horry County Police Department reported that many of the wounded were transported to local hospitals by the county’s fire-rescue agency, while some others were taken to medical facilities in private vehicles. Initial reports indicated that the most severely injured individuals were in critical but stable condition, and by the most recent update, eight of the ten hospitalized had been released.
A North Myrtle Beach police officer was also injured during the incident, having accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to the shooting. Fortunately, he is currently in stable condition.
Witnesses reported the chaos that ensued after the shots were fired, with video footage depicting numerous police cars and ambulances rushing to the scene. Randy Evans, a witness, shared that his 25-year-old son was shot in the ankle and toe but managed to render aid to others despite his injuries, using his bathing suit as a makeshift tourniquet. Reports indicate that Evans’ son will not require surgical pins but will need time for recovery.
In the hours following the shooting, investigators began working to identify the individuals responsible for the incident; however, no arrests were made initially. Concerns arose about the security measures in place for the event. Witness Jeremy Evans expressed dissatisfaction with the police response and noted shortcomings in the security protocols, such as inadequate identification checks. It was revealed that the event was not private, and tickets were sold online for attendance.
In light of the tragic events, Evans’ attorney announced plans to file a lawsuit against the individuals responsible for the shooting, including the owner of the party boat, citing negligence in security provisions.
As of late May 29, progress in the investigation led to the arrest of two individuals connected to the shooting. A 19-year-old named Shawon Williams was apprehended in Lake County, Illinois; he is expected to face multiple charges and will be extradited to South Carolina. Additionally, a 16-year-old boy from North Carolina is facing eight counts of attempted murder and related charges and will be sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward. The community continues to heal from this shocking violence as they seek answers and justice for the victims of the Memorial Day shooting.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WPDE: Little River Shooting Victim
- Wikipedia: Little River, South Carolina
- Myrtle Beach Online: Little River Crime Article
- Google Search: Little River shooting Memorial Day 2025
- WBTW: Suspect Extradited to Horry County Jail
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mass Shooting
- ABC11: North Carolina Teen Arrested
- Google News: Little River shooting investigation
