Video Shows Gunman Open Fire as S.C. Police Pursue in Mass Shooting

The shooting that occurred on April 26, 2025 in the popular tourist district along Ocean Boulevard in downtown Myrtle Beach left one person dead and 11 others injured. Officers Mohamed El-Helwi and Jeremiah Johnson also were present at the shooting, but never fired their weapons, Richardson said.

The report listed five adult victims and six juvenile victims, whose names were redacted in the report.

Many of the victims, including a person who was pushing a stroller with one of the victims, were standing in front or nearby the Mr. Fries restaurant on North Ocean Boulevard where Jerrius Davis, of Bennettsville, is accused of opening fire into a crowd along the sidewalk, according to the report.

Davis, 18, was killed in the shooting.

The report is based on business and city cameras, and police body cam footage.

The report said that at 11:49 p.m., as Myrtle Beach Police Officer Brandon O’Rourke was exiting the restaurant, Davis could be seen pulling a handgun from his waistband and then began to shoot in the area of 911 N. Ocean Blvd. Davis fired his weapon four times, the report said.

O’Rourke pointed his handgun at Davis, who turned and ran south, away from the officer, the report said. O’Rourke pursued Davis and then fired five times toward Davis. However, the ShotSpotter detected six gunshots. It was determined that one 9mm shell casing located at the scene was not fired from O’Rourke or Davis’ handguns, the report said.

Davis then fell to the ground and officers placed him in handcuffs.

O’Rourke and El-Helwi went to one of the victims who was on the ground bleeding from her leg, the report said. El-Helwi and O’Rourke began placing the tourniquet on the victim’s leg and O’Rourke told the victim, “I’m sorry. I got you,” the report said.

Someone then yelled to officers, “Got one in here too!” and officers went to another North Ocean Boulevard business where another victim was lying face down on the floor.

In a follow up interview with SLED on April 30, 2025, and June 23, 2025, O’Rourke provided additional information about why he discharged his firearm into the crowded area. O’Rourke said he recognized the situation as an “active shooter” and made the “conscious decision to fire his weapon even though the sidewalk was crowded” in order “to protect the lives of innocent bystanders,” the report said.

O’Rourke was working mandatory overtime on the night of April 26, 2025, and was assigned to the 900 block of Ocean Boulevard.

A 17-year-old victim told police that he was on spring break vacation in Myrtle Beach and was walking on Ocean Boulevard to meet two females. He did not notice any altercations or problems in the area, but while he was walking north, he heard gunshots in front of him. He could not see who was shooting because of the large crowd. He turned around and ran in the opposite direction, and while running, felt a gunshot to his back.

The victim was hospitalized for nearly a month for his injuries. The doctors told him that the bullet would not be removed due to its location.

Other victims, including those who knew the alleged shooter from Marlboro County High School, reported that they were also on spring break vacation and were hanging out with friends when Davis walked by and looked at them. One victim said it appeared that Davis said something to the men, and when he walked past them, Davis stopped, turned around and started shooting at them, the report said. Another victim told SLED that Davis was angry over girls, the report said.

O’Rourke returned to full active duty on Aug. 29, 2025. He had been on paid administrative duty during SLED’s investigation and the department’s parallel internal use-of-force investigation, the release said.

Two people were arrested in connection to the shooting, police said.

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