Myrtle Beach Man Points Gun at Football Players
In a rather shocking turn of events this past Friday evening, a 71-year-old man in Horry County found himself in the center of a dramatic incident involving a firearm and some local kids just trying to enjoy a friendly game of football. The incident, which took place around 7 p.m. on Sunny Pond Lane in the Aynor area, left the victims rattled and the neighborhood buzzing about what went down.
The Unbelievable Incident
According to police reports, the victims were merrily kicking a football around on their lawn when they caught the attention of Jeffrey Rotunno, who began yelling at them from his backyard. It seems like it escalated rather quickly. Before anyone could comprehend what was happening, Rotunno reportedly pulled out a gun, aiming it at the trio while making some rather chilling threats. “I’m going to blow your brains out,” he allegedly said, sending the innocent footballers into a panic.
One of the players dashed into a nearby house for safety, while the other two took cover behind the fence, feeling quite uneasy about the whole situation. Can you imagine being just a few yards away from someone waving a gun around? Absolutely terrifying!
Police Response
Horry County police arrived shortly after the incident was reported and wasted no time in investigating. Officers went straight to Rotunno’s home, where they located the firearm, promptly taking it as evidence. From the sounds of it, Rotunno didn’t deny what he did. Reports indicate that he admitted to pulling the gun and making the intimidating gesture and even expressed he was sorry for the frightening episode.
Following the incident, authorities charged him with some serious stuff—specifically three counts of pointing and presenting firearms at a person, alongside first-degree assault and battery. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist; it’s quite serious!
The Aftermath
As for Rotunno, he found himself booked at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center that same evening. Luckily for him, he was released the next day on a bond set at a hefty $32,500. It seems that this man is really going to have to face the music now, and we can only hope the kids involved are recovering from that scare.
This whole situation serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to keep the peace in our communities, especially in a friendly neighborhood like ours here in Myrtle Beach. It’s a tragedy that a simple game of football could turn into a frightening ordeal for these young players.
Moving Forward
As residents of Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas, we’ve always taken pride in our community spirit and the low-key, friendly atmosphere we’re known for. We hope this incident doesn’t spoil that for anyone! Let’s continue to look out for one another and keep the peace in our lovely neighborhoods.
As updates continue to roll in, we’ll keep you posted on any new developments in this story. Until then, let’s just hope everyone can find joy in the simple things—like a game of football—without any unexpected drama. Stay safe out there, folks!
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.
