Myrtle Beach hotel blamed in shooting death of SC woman while she unloaded items at resort
The estate of a woman who died after being shot at a Myrtle Beach hotel while unloading her items is suing the resort and the man who shot her.
Rhonda Harris, of Lancaster, died several weeks after being shot on March 1, 2022, at the Yachtsman Resort, 1304 N. Ocean Blvd., by Lashawn Jarrett. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Harris’ representative, Mary Harris, on Nov. 8, 2024.
A person answering the phone at the Yachtsman said he could not comment on the suit.
Rhonda Harris was shot by Jarrett after he was involved in a violent altercation with a person inside the vehicle, according to the suit. Jarrett, of North Carolina, fired several times, shooting the victim inside the vehicle and Harris who was parked nearby, unloading items, according to Myrtle Beach Police.
Harris, 38, was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.
The suit claims that Yachtsman “owed plaintiff a duty of care to keep the premises in a safe condition” and to “warn of/or eliminate unreasonable risks and dangerous conditions.” The hotel is located in a high-crime area and was the source of regular and repeated crimes leading up to the time of the shooting, according to the suit.
However, despite regular and on-going crimes, the Yachtsman did not employ on-site security personnel, the suit said.
Jarrett was arrested on March 23, 2022, in the shooting.
The suit claims that the hotel was negligent in not providing security and creating a “dangerous climate for criminal activity.” In addition, the hotel failed to respond to the “boisterous disturbance on the premises” or notify the authorities and failed to ensure that medical treatment for Harris would arrive promptly.
Mary Harris is seeking a jury trial and is asking actual and punitive damages against the Yachtsman and Jarrett.
