MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – As bikers leave Myrtle Beach Monday, the work is far from over for local law enforcement.
Early Friday morning, a man was shot and killed at the Fountainbleau Inn on Flagg Street. In that case, no one was arrested, and so far, no suspects have been named.
The next day, police responded to an armed robbery at the Monterey Bay Suites, where a robber got away with over$1,000 in cash. So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects named.
Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes says with the influx of people coming to the area during Memorial Day weekend the crime is almost unavoidable.
“Those things happen, and it’s unfortunate, but when you get 200,000-250,000 people, sometimes you’re going to have a crime committed,” said Rhodes.
Myrtle Beach Police say an event staff member was shot at after refusing to let a vehicle go through a barricaded intersection around midnight Saturday near Yaupon Drive. Police say the suspect fired two shots out of a silver Chevy Impala. At the time of this article, that suspect had not been named.
Sunday, there was another shooting at the Holiday Sands North Hotel. In that case, police arrested 18-year-old James Dwyer and charged him with attempted murder and possession of marijuana. Police are still searching for 21-year-old Shaylan Issac.
Then, early Monday morning, a man told police he found his friend shot inside the Landmark Resort. Police made no arrests and no suspects were named.
More than 600 officers worked in Myrtle Beach over the weekend in an attempt to help prevent this violence and to help things run smoothly.
“I don’t care who you are, where you are, how much law enforcement you have. You cannot be absolutely and have complete control over everything that’s going on,” said Rhodes.
Rhodes says he doesn’t know what the future holds for Bikefest, but he is clear on one thing.
“Memorial Day weekend is not about a bike festival. It’s about the celebration of those who’ve served our country to give us the freedom that we have.”
