Large mob attacked and ‘violently’ beat Myrtle Beach man at mall. He’s suing retail center
An Horry County man who alleged he was “violently” beaten by a mob at the Myrtle Beach Mall is suing the retail center, along with its security company.
Stephen Micheal Walker says the mall, along with its security, Universal Protection Service, didn’t take any action or attempt to disburse the crowd that was gathering in the parking lot before his attack.
The suit also names Kings Highway Partners LLC and Jones Lang Lasalle Americas, which operate the mall, and Allied Universal Security Services.
Voicemail messages left for the mall, its operators and security services were not immediately returned. Allied Universal Security said by email that it does not comment on pending litigation.
Walker says that he was sitting on the rear of his vehicle in the parking lot of the mall, at 10177 N. Kings Hwy, when he found himself surrounded by a “growing crowd of unruly patrons” gathering in the lot, the lawsuit stated.
Walker was attempting to avoid a confrontation with the crowd, but he was struck violently in the face by a person from the crowd, he alleges.
The attack incited a mob of multiple subjects who began violently beating Walker around his face and head, knocking him to the ground, the lawsuit said. Walker then crawled under his vehicle to seek protection from the assailants and called police using his cell phone.
The lawsuit alleges that security failed to render aid or assist Walker during the attack. Walker received severe bodily injuries from the attack, according to the suit.
The suit claims that the defendants should have foreseen such an incident because of “several prior crimes committed in the area and nearby to defendants’ premises” prior to the attack. The business being operated at the location “was unsafe and posed risks of danger to the public,” the suit stated.
According to an Horry County Police report, the incident occurred about 10:15 p.m. near the Twin Peaks restaurant and sports bar.
Vincenzo Belmonte, of Myrtle Beach, was later arrested and charged by Horry County Police with second-degree assault and battery by a mob, according to online records. The charges were later dropped during April 2024.
Belmonte could be seen on video, along with multiple other people, kicking and punching Walker numerous times, according to an arrest warrant. Walker suffered a broken nose and swelling to his face and his skull from being kicked in the head, the warrant stated.
The suit, filed on Dec. 27, 2024, is seeking a jury trial for punitive damages, as well as costs for medical treatment.
This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
