Horry County officials say 11 injured in shooting linked to chartered boat at Watson Avenue

Horry County police and fire officials briefed the public on a shooting tied to a private charter boat over the weekend that left 11 people injured, three of them hospitalized.

Horry County Police Chief Lynn Hark said the boat was a private charter with about 124 people on board — roughly 120 passengers and four crew members — and that officers responded after an initial dispatch for an injury at about 9:15 p.m., with an update at about 9:17 p.m. that people had been shot. "This is a partnership with us in our community," Chief Hark said, adding that "if you see something, say something" and urging anyone with video or tips to call the department tip line at 915-8477.

Joey Tanner, Horry County fire chief, described the medical response: responders found gunshot victims on scene, transported 11 people to hospitals (eight by ambulance and two or three in personal vehicles) and reported no delays in transport or access. Tanner said the department follows trauma‑center routing: "We send them to level 1 trauma center," he said, adding that if a center is overwhelmed patients are stabilized at the nearest facility before transfer.

Officials said the shooting occurred after the boat returned to the dock at the end of Watson Avenue, in an area where commercial boats are stored. Chief Hark said the incident appears to have involved people on the boat and that, at the time of the briefing, investigators had not announced any arrests or identified suspects. "Right now, I don't have any suspect information to release," he said. He also declined to provide detailed forensics while detectives review videos and other evidence but confirmed a firearm was used.

Chief Hark said many passengers were from out of town, making follow‑up interviews more difficult. He called the event "an isolated incident on the boat" and said there was no indication of an ongoing risk to the wider community. "This type of violence will not be tolerated in Horry County," he added.

The county asked anyone with information, including video, to contact the tip line displayed during the briefing. Officials said the investigation remains active and provided no timetable for charges or further public updates.

The briefing concluded with officials reiterating the request for tips and thanking other agencies that assisted during the holiday weekend response.