Myrtle Beach police officer on bike patrol hears shots fired

A Myrtle Beach police officer was patrolling an area near the intersection of Oak Street and Maple Street on his bicycle Saturday night when he heard a shot rang, according to an incident report.

The officer reported hearing the shot originate in the 600 block of Maple Street around midnight.

The officer investigated, but found no evidence of a shooting and reported the “area was quiet.” A few minutes later, the officer heard a second gunshot south of Sixth Avenue North on Maple Street and pedaled to the scene where the officer witnessed a muzzle flash and a third shot ring out from the rear driver’s side window of a white or silver Ford Taurus, according to the report.

“The muzzle flash indicated the handgun was pointed upward when the weapon was discharged,” according to the report.

The officer said the exterior lights of the Taurus were then turned off as it turned east and sped down North Oak Street “continuing to travel recklessly.”

The officer reported observing a “darker-skinned male wearing a blue and white plaid shirt” seated behind the driver of the car as it turned right on Sixth Avenue South.

Multiple officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle and no signs of damage or shell casings were found at the scene.

Reach Weaver: 843-444-1722; @TSNEmily

This story was originally published November 29, 2015 at 4:48 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach police officer on bike patrol hears shots fired."