Police: Cook Out murder victim tried to stop an argument before shooting
A murder victim tried to intervene in an argument at a Myrtle Beach cookout before being shot and killed, according to police.
Albert “AJ” Soles Jr., 24, died in the shooting and 23-year-old Niko Juwan Williams was charged with murder for his killing.
Myrtle Beach police went to the Cook Out restaurant, 1800 N. Kings Hwy., around 1 a.m. Friday for the reported shooting, Cpl. Thomas Vest said. When officers arrived, they found two people who were hurt. The victims were taken to the hospital, Vest said.
The extent of the second victim’s injuries has not been released.
Williams was in an argument that turned physical with two other people when Soles tried to intervene, according to arrest warrants. It was then Williams shot Soles. The victim was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Police also charged Williams, of Murells Inlet, with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection to the shooting. He faces life in prison if convicted.
Williams appeared via closed-circuit TV in Myrtle Beach municipal court on Friday afternoon for a bond hearing. A judge denied bond as only a circuit court judge can set bail on a murder charge. Williams did not speak during the hearing other than to answer the judge’s questions.
He will remain in J. Reuben Long Detention Center until his next court hearing.
Williams have several previous charges in Myrtle Beach and Horry County, but they were mostly simple traffic violations.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 12:49 PM.
