Footage released from North Ocean Boulevard mass shooting in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach Police Department released dash cam footage of an April mass shooting on North Ocean Boulevard showing an 18-year-old firing a pistol four times and an officer shooting five times in response.
On April 26 at 11:50 p.m., 18-year-old Jerrius Davis fired his gun on North Ocean Boulevard near 9th Avenue North. A Myrtle Beach Police officer returned fire, hitting and killing the Bennettsville teenager.
Footage shows Davis bending over to reach for a gun and firing it into a crowd.
He was then pursued within seconds by Officer Brandon O’Rourke, who is shown firing his gun five times and killing Davis while running down Ocean Boulevard as Davis fled into a crowd.
Davis was pursued by additional Officers Mohamad El-Kelwi and Jeramiah Johnson.
All have been put back on duty after receiving paid administrative leave after the shooting, Police Chief Amy Prock said in the video.
One additional shot can be heard in the video, which South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division is still investigating, Prock said.
Myrtle Beach police have arrested Jawarren Bethea, 18, of Laurinburg, and two unnamed juveniles in connection to the incident
There were also 11 people injured, including 13-year-old Zavian Hairston and 15-year-old Serenity Chavis. It is unclear if Davis’s gunshot hit anyone, as Chavis said a police officer shot her.
Myrtle Beach police have dodged questions about the shooting for a month, stating they have to wait until the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division finishes its investigation. There is no policy within SLED or Myrtle Beach police that says they have to wait, The Sun News found.
Two people were arrested on firearm charges in connection to the Davis earlier this month, The Sun News reported.
How does this downtown shooting connect to other SC crime?
There are at least six events investigators believe are connected to the April 26 mass shooting on North Ocean Boulevard, Prock said in the video. They include:
- Sept. 6, 2024 - a heated exchange takes place at a football game between Marlboro County High School and Scotland High School in Scotland County, NC.
- Sept. 6, 2024 through April 25 - ongoing verbal and physical disputes between young people in Bennetsville, SC and Laurinburg, NC.
- April 25 - Young people from Marlboro County get into an argument on Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach police de-escalate.
- April 26, 2:53 a.m. - Young people from Marlboro County see a group from Laurinburg and exchange gunfire near the Fifth Avenue North beach access.
- April 26, 11:50 p.m. - Jerrius Davis, 18, fires his gun four times at a group of people on North Ocean Boulevard. Officer Brandon O’Rourke shoots his gun five times and kills Davis.
- May 4 4:14 a.m. - Two people are injured in a drive-by shooting at a post-prom party in Laurinburg.
Myrtle Beach Police Department collaborated with Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office, Scotland County Sheriff’s Office, Bennettsville Police Department, Laurinburg Police Department and Clio Police Department, Prock said in the video.
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 2:14 PM.
