Four more suspects in Ocean Blvd. shootout in Horry County court for the first time
Four suspects — including the man investigators say fired the first shots — in a gang shootout on Ocean Boulevard will remain behind bars after having their requests for bond denied.
Dewon Cole, Anthony Griffin, Quandre Tyson and Dennis Stewart appeared via video in Horry County court on Monday for a bond hearing. The suspects have all been held in J. Reuben Long Detention Center since their arrests in mid-May.
Each of the four faces multiple attempted murder charges in connection to the May 17 shooting along Ocean Boulevard and 11th Avenue North.
Police say two gangs from Chesterfield County brought their beef to Myrtle Beach and shot at each other across the popular stretch. The area was crowded as the shooting happened around 7 p.m. on the first weekend when many area hotels could take new reservations after being closed for COVID-19.
Kernard Redmond, a deputy Solicitor for the 4th Judicial District, which covers Chesterfield County, said Stewart fired the first shots. He then took cover behind a vehicle. Inside the vehicle was a child in a car seat — a photo of the child with the shot-out window went viral after the shooting.
Redmond assisted Horry County Chief Deputy Solicitor Scott Hixson during Monday’s hearing.
Redmond noted that Stewart was a suspect in a recent drive-by shooting in Chesterfield County, but was arrested in Myrtle Beach before prosecutors there had the opportunity to file charges.
Judge Steven John declined to set bond for Stewart and the other three suspects who appeared in court on Monday.
Tyson was on bond for armed robbery and burglary charges at the time of the Myrtle Beach shooting, Redmond said. Cole was an active member of the U.S. Navy stationed in Virginia. Griffin is a 17-year-old who had an extended magazine on his pistol that prosecutors allege he fired during the confrontation.
Last week, John declined to set bond for Antonio Trayon Brown, who was also charged in the same case.
Tristan Jackson, 18, of Monroe, North Carolina, was charged with disorderly conduct and giving false information in connection to the shooting. An unnamed juvenile also faces charges.
