Five people were shot and three were killed last night in downtown Myrtle Beach. Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler identifies the victims as Jamie Williams, 28, of Ladson, Devonte Dantzler, 21, of Summerville, and Sandy Gaddis Barnwell, 22, of Summerville. He says all three victims died from trauma to vital organs due to gunshot wounds.
According to Captain David Knipes of the Myrtle Beach Police Department, the first shooting took place between 6th Avenue South and 7th Avenue South on Ocean Boulevard a little after 11pm. One man was shot at this location and was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery for his wounds.
Shortly after the first shooting another was reported at the Bermuda Sands Motel on North Ocean Boulevard. Williams, Dantzler, and Barnwell were found shot to death. Another man suffered a gunshot wound at the motel, according to Knipes.
The Sun News quoted a witness as saying that several people were fighting on the sidewalk in front of the motel minutes before the shooting.
“At first, everyone was standing around to see who was going to win the fight. Then they started shooting and everyone scattered,” George Covington told the newspaper.
The shooting happened during the annual Atlantic Beach BikeFest held about 15 miles away during the Memorial Day weekend.
As of now, Myrtle Beach Police Department has no one in custody and the shootings do not appear to be related. The crime scene has been cleared since 7:30 this morning. South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is sending crime scene units to assist MBPD in the investigation.
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