Big Fourth of July rule change coming to Myrtle Beach after deadly shooting
Following the third shooting on Myrtle Beach’s North Ocean Boulevard tourist strip this summer, the city has announced temporary changes to its juvenile curfew ahead of Fourth of July festivities.
The curfew changes come after a recent deadly shooting at the downtown restaurant Peaches Corner. Grayson Meyers, 18, was shot and killed after a confrontation with a restaurant employee, Evony McCray, 17.
In an announcement posted to Facebook, Assistant City Manager Josh Bruegger, who oversees public safety in Myrtle Beach, explained that those under 18 years old will have to temporarily adhere to new curfew rules. The changes will take place from Wednesday through Monday.
“The City of Myrtle Beach is working towards permanent juvenile curfew changes,” the announcement reads. “We realize this will not be a ‘fix all’ solution to juvenile issues happening along Ocean Boulevard, but it is a step in the right direction.”
According to the announcement, an executive order was signed on Tuesday morning by Myrtle Beach City Manager Fox Simons to temporarily expand juvenile curfew rules throughout certain parts of the city. The new curfew will begin at 10 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. the next day within a defined “protected zone,” as well as all city parks and other city facilities.
The protected zone takes up most of downtown Myrtle Beach and the Ocean Boulevard area, specifically the areas of Atlantic Ocean to Kings Highway, between 13th Avenue South and 21st Avenue North. Also included is a small extension west of Kings Highway to Broadway Street, between Seventh and Ninth avenues North.
Outside of this zone, the standard city juvenile curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. will remain in place.
There are several exemptions to this new temporary curfew. Minors may be in the protected zone during the enforced times if they are:
- Accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Involved in an emergency or emergency errand.
- Engaged in employment or traveling directly to or from employment.
- In a vehicle engaged in interstate travel.
- Attending or traveling for a school, religious or government activity supervised by adults.
- Attending or traveling for a city-sponsored or civic activity that is supervised by adults.
- “Exercising rights protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.”
- Married or otherwise emancipated by operation of law.
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM.
