Horry police charge duo with double murder in connection to bingo hall slayings
Two men face murder charges in connection to a shooting at a Myrtle Beach bingo hall last week that left a father and son dead.
The Horry County Police Department announced charges on Thursday against Bradford Britton, 40, and Derrick Rivera, 29, both of Georgetown. They were each charged with two counts of murder and two counts of armed robbery. Rivera was also charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a weapon by a felon.
Jimmy Richardson, Solicitor for the 15th Judicial Circuit, said they have not determined whether they will consider the death penalty as their office has yet to receive the case file.
Steve Johnson Sr. and Steve Johnson Jr. were shot at Waccamaw Bingo in Belle Terre Plaza, off U.S. Highway 501, around 9:45 p.m. on July 26. Police said the duo was killed during an attempted armed robbery, and the suspect fled the area.
The Johnsons owned Waccamaw Bingo, and that led to days away from the family’s Sumter home. Christi Brunson, Steve Sr.’s daughter and Sparky’s sister, joked that the two loved the players more than their families, given the amount of time they spent at the parlor.
“I had the best brother and the best dad that ever walked the face of this earth,” she said.
Britton was originally arrested on Tuesday in Georgetown County earlier this week on outstanding warrants. At that time, Horry County police only said they interviewed Britton in connection to the killings of Steve Johnson Sr. and Steve “Sparky” Johnson Jr. A Georgetown City police report says officers found a car at Britton’s property that was used during the double-murder.
Rivera was arrested in Colleton County by U.S Marshals after he fled following the shooting, according to Horry County police.
Britton and Rivera are currently in J. Reuben Detention Center. Both men waived their right to an initial appearance on Thursday. A judge explained that he could not sent bond on the murder charges and a circuit court judge would need to make that decision.
This story was originally published August 1, 2019 at 12:58 PM.
