NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- A 26-year-old man is dead after a shooting in North Myrtle Beach, according to Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler.
The coroner says Ryan Burt from Lexington died at Grand Stand Regional Medical Center at 1:05 Saturday morning.
Fowler says he died from a gunshot and that the incident happen at 2306 North Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach.
North Myrtle Beach Spokesperson Pat Dowling says when officers arrived to the scene on North Ocean Boulevard they found Burt unresponsive on the ground with people around them.
Dowling says officers attempted to administer care to the victim, while controlling the crowd, and scanning the area for a potential suspect. Once backup officers arrive, a crime scene was established and secured.
Detectives says later in the evening the suspect, Zachary Paul Owens, contacted the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety saying that he saw a fight take place inside the restaurant next to the parking lot.
Owens told police that after seeing the fight, he closed his tab and went to his car. He says Burt began yelling at him across the parking lot. Owens told police Burt began to approach him in an aggressive manner and he wasn’t sure why.
According to police, Owens reached inside and pulled his firearm from his vehicle. Owens says Burt approached him and began hitting him in the face with a closed fist. Owens told police he told the victim repeatedly to back away or he would shoot.
Owners told police the victim continued to hit him and he shot him multiple times due to fear of injury and no way to escape.
Dowling says Owens is being held at the North Myrtle Beach Detention Center and facing voluntary manslaughter charges. His bond has been set at $15,000.
Count on News13 to keep you covered.
