A Memorial Day boat party near Myrtle Beach ended in gunfire that wounded 10 people and injured a responding police officer, raising alarms about safety and training failures.
At a Glance
- 10 people were wounded in a shooting after a charter boat party near Myrtle Beach
- The shooting occurred as passengers disembarked from the Hurricane vessel in Little River
- A police officer accidentally shot himself while responding to the incident
- Victims remain hospitalized, some in critical but stable condition
- Authorities say the shooting was an isolated incident with no broader threat
Memorial Day Meltdown
What began as a festive holiday cruise turned into a scene of terror Saturday night as gunfire erupted following a Memorial Day party hosted aboard the Hurricane, a charter vessel operated by the Little River Fishing Fleet. Passengers were disembarking around 9:30 p.m. when an altercation escalated into a shootout at the marina, located about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach.
Authorities confirmed that 10 individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and one other person was injured in the melee. Witness Harold Wiegel described the moment chaos broke out: “When they got off the boat, they just started shooting each other.” The event, advertised as a DJ party cruise, ended in panic and bloodshed, with first responders converging on the marina in droves.
Watch a report: 10 Shot After Memorial Day Boat Party.
Officer Mishap Compounds Crisis
In a bizarre twist, a North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg while responding to the emergency. The incident occurred at a separate marina roughly three miles from the original scene. North Myrtle Beach spokeswoman Lauren Jessie confirmed that the officer was hospitalized in stable condition. The unintended injury, while not life-threatening, underscores serious concerns about readiness and firearms training among law enforcement.
This mishap has intensified scrutiny of police protocols during active shooter situations, especially amid rising concerns about both gun violence and public safety confidence. The presence of gunfire victims and wounded responders created a grim tableau all too familiar in modern America.
Ongoing Investigation, Few Answers
As of Sunday evening, investigators had released few details about the identities or motives of those involved. Police described the shooting as an “isolated incident” stemming from a dispute during the private event. While they maintain there is no continued threat to the community, the vague messaging has done little to quell public concern.
Several victims remain hospitalized in critical but stable condition, with some reportedly arriving at local hospitals in private vehicles, suggesting the casualty count may rise. Video footage captured emergency vehicles crowding the scene, offering a stark reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to tragedy.
The Little River area, typically a serene fishing and boating hub, has now found itself in the national spotlight. As detectives comb through witness testimony and surveillance footage, residents and tourists alike are left grappling with the broader implications of yet another mass shooting on American soil.
