NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — By the time North Myrtle Beach police arrived at the Harbourgate Marina Club on the night of May 25 for reports of an officer shot, tensions were already running high.
Just a few minutes earlier, a mass shooting broke out in nearby Little River, and it was impossible to know in real time whether the two incidents were connected.
More than six hours of dashcam video obtained by News13 through a Freedom of Information Act request shine a light on how those chaotic several hours in North Myrtle Beach played out. Ultimately, authorities would determine that the officer — whose name still has not been released — accidently shot himself in the leg twice from his own rifle.
An incident report also provided to News13 says that at the time of the gun went off, the officer “had both of his hands on the gate, which was confirmed by later video evidence.” Body camera and witness footage showing that moment has not yet been made public. News13 has requested both from the department but have yet to hear back.
North Myrtle Beach police say officer accidentally shot himself in leg during Little River shooting response
While the dashcam footage portrays a chaotic response, it’s often unclear whether radio communications refer to the officer’s shooting or the incident on the party boat on Watson Avenue near Harbourgate Marina.
‘When you come to the scene, lock it down’
Just before 9:45 p.m., an officer is heard on a police radio giving orders as he and others rush to the marina…