Double murder suspect free on bond accused of violent crimes at Myrtle Beach restaurant
A double murder suspect who was free on bond is now being accused of robbing a Myrtle Beach Chinese restaurant.
Myrtle Beach police say David Lee Cook robbed the China King restaurant on U.S. Highway 501 around 10 p.m. Friday, Cpl. Thomas Vest said. Officers also charged him with four counts of kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Cook is was charged with two counts of murder, arson and possession of cocaine related to the killing of two men in the Socastee area in July 2018. In February 2019, a judge granted Cook a $125,000 bond as he awaited trail in the double-murder case.
He was free on bond at the time of alleged robbery in Myrtle Beach.
Cook was transferred from Myrtle Beach jail and booked into J. Reuben Long Detention Center on Sunday. He remains incarcerated as a judge has not set bond on his new charges.
In late July 2018, Horry County police responded to a burnt car on Butler Road where they found the remains of Matthew Autry, 29, and Shawn Anderson, 35, officials said.
Horry County police also charged Michael W. Faile, 37, with two counts of murder; William D. Tatum, 37, with two counts of murder, one count of arson, one count trafficking heroin and one count possession of a scheduled drug; and Zachary Stell, 31, with two counts of murder and one count of arson.
According to Stell’s arrest affidavit, an unidentified person told investigators that Stell and Cook lured the victims to a location where they were “shot multiple times.” The person, whose information was redacted, then said Stell gave him money to buy gasoline.
The unidentified person said one victim was alive when he returned and he saw Stell and Cook stab the victims several times. Stell then set fire to the vehicle.
Cook also told investigators that he burned the car with the victims inside. At a hearing soon after his arrest, Cook’s hands were heavily bandaged and his face was scarred.
The four suspects in the double-murder case all await trial on their charges.
In the most recent robbery arrest, Myrtle Beach police say Cook went into the China King on Friday with a bag on his hand and said he had a gun. He had a mask over his face as well, according to arrest warrants.
Cook told people not to leave and a scuffle started. During that fight, the bag came off and the witnesses saw he had a knife, according to arrest warrants.
One of the victims had several cuts and another was punched several times.
Police arrived at the restaurant and detained Cook, the warrants state.
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 11:10 AM.
