News Summary
A shooting incident in Myrtle Beach involving an officer left a 17-year-old critically injured and resulted in the death of an 18-year-old suspect. The altercation occurred near North Ocean Boulevard, with bystanders also sustaining injuries. The local community is now demanding accountability and transparency in the investigation, which is being conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division. Amid heightened police presence, discussions regarding public safety and police practices intensify as civil rights advocates call for the release of footage from the incident.
Myrtle Beach experienced a tragic shooting incident on April 26, 2025, involving a police officer that left a 17-year-old seriously injured. The incident unfolded around midnight in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard, following an earlier altercation involving an 18-year-old, Jerrius Davis, who reportedly fired into a crowd.
Officer Brandon O’Rourke returned fire during the chaos, resulting in Davis’s death. The subsequent shots fired by O’Rourke severely injured the 17-year-old boy, who remains unarmed and was reportedly fleeing the scene when struck by a bullet in the back. The teen is currently carrying the bullet lodged in his chest and is receiving legal representation from civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers.
Alongside the 17-year-old, a total of 11 bystanders sustained injuries during the incident. These included individuals who were shot, grazed by bullets, or struck by shrapnel. Among those injured were several teenagers who have since come forward with accounts suggesting uncertainty regarding the source of their injuries. For instance, 15-year-old Serenity Chavis believes she was shot in the leg by a police officer, while another victim, Zavian Hairston, reported multiple gunshot wounds with unclear circumstances surrounding his injuries.
The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has launched an investigation into the events of that night. Dash cam footage released by the police shows Officer O’Rourke firing five shots while pursuing Davis, all while bystanders were present on the sidewalk. This footage has led to increased calls for transparency regarding the incident, with community leaders expressing frustration over the limited information released by the police for over a month following the shooting.
In the aftermath of the shooting, civil rights activist John C. Barnett, who represents some of the injured teenagers, has called for the release of body cam footage from the officers involved. Community leaders and activists have echoed this demand in response to the lack of detailed information about the incident.
As the investigation by SLED continues, the Myrtle Beach Police Department has increased its presence in the area, urging the public to avoid locations where the incidents occurred. This heightened police visibility follows another shooting that took place on June 1, 2025, involving a 44-year-old man, Terrell Moore, who was arrested in connection with a separate shooting incident on South Ocean Boulevard. That shooting, which occurred around 5:42 p.m., resulted in one victim suffering non-life-threatening injuries. Moore now faces charges of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, along with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The events of April 26 have prompted serious discussions within the Myrtle Beach community regarding public safety, police accountability, and the handling of firearm incidents involving law enforcement. As the investigation unfolds, local residents are paying close attention to the responses from their police department and local leaders, hoping for measures that ensure the safety and trust of the community.
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Additional Resources
- Myrtle Beach Online
- Wikipedia: Myrtle Beach
- WBTW News
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach shooting April 2025
- NBC News
- Google Scholar: Myrtle Beach shooting April 2025
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Myrtle Beach
- WMBF News
- Google News: Myrtle Beach shooting
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
