Limited findings in deadly downtown Myrtle Beach mass shooting released
A Myrtle Beach Police officer invovled in a deadly mass shooting in April has been cleared in the shooting, according to a release from the department.
Officer Brandon O’Rourke will not face criminal charges after an investigation of the shooting conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, according to a letter from Horry County Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, who said he will decline prosecution.
Consistent with Myrtle Beach Police Department policy, O’Rourke will return to full active duty on Aug. 29, 2025. He has been on paid administrative duty during SLED’s investigation and the department’s parallel internal use-of-force investigation, the release said.
The shooting that occurred on April 26, 2025, in the popular tourist district along Ocean Boulevard in downtown Myrtle Beach left one person dead and 11 others injured.
Jerrius Davis is accused of brandishing a handgun and firing multiple shots toward a group of people on a crowded sidewalk in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard.
O’Rourke and two other officers were leaving an unrelated call at a Myrtle Beach restaurant and as they exited saw Davis fire his weapon. O’Rourke returned fire and shot Davis, killing the 18-year-old Bennettsville teen, police said.
Davis is accused of firing four shots into the crowd. O’Rourke fired five shots just “mere” seconds after exiting the restaurant with one of the bullets hitting Davis, Richardson said in his letter.
Officers Mohamed El-Helwi and Jeremiah Johnson also exited the resturant, but never fired their weapons, Richardson said.
Richardson said that he based his decision not to prosecute on evidence collected from various cameras, including business camera systems, body worn cameras by officers and dash cam video on police vehicles.
Officers responded to the active threat and, following the incident, the Myrtle Beach Police Department immediately requested that SLED conduct an independent investigation in accordance with departmental policy.
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
