Latest news with #KrisLeonhardt
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Where are most crimes happening in Myrtle Beach area? These areas have the highest
The amount of crime happening in Horry County has been a top concern of local residents. It's not just crime that is increasing, it's also the boldness of the suspects who commit the crimes. In recent months, law enforcement has dealt with a string of high-profile crimes in Horry County, including a shooting at a Little River boat party, suspects shooting at police during a high-speed chase and three shootings – two that were deadly – on North Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach. Data shows that certain areas of Horry County receive a higher number of crimes than other areas. But, in reality, no area has been immune from criminal activity. Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt said that this year is on track to be one of the busiest in the number of incidents for police. Most of it is occurring near permanent residents along the coast with gang activity heightening near inland towns of Aynor and Longs, Leonhardt said. However, an independent crime statistics organization shows that most of the violent crimes are happening in the tourist areas of the county, as well as in the Carolina Forest area. Carolina Forest in the Myrtle Beach area has seen a tremendous population growth, requiring additional schools to be built, roads to be widened and emergency services to build additional fire stations and add more police units to keep up with the influx of crime and growth. Horry County Police is adding a fifth police precinct in the Carolina Forest area to be implemented in August and a new gang police unit which is already in place. During a public safety meeting in June, Leonhardt highlighted a high in calls for service with more than 16,000 received in May. That includes 337 calls for violent crimes, according to Horry County data from a May Public Safety Committee meeting agenda. Calls for service occur when emergency personnel are requested to respond to an emergency situation, such as a 911 call or a directive from a passerby. During the same time last year, police received more than 17,000 calls for service. But Horry County Police also did not have as many deadly or violent incidents as they have this year, the chief said. Where's the most crime? Tourist areas dominate calls for service in Horry County, police data shows. The south precinct encompasses Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Socastee, which from 2023 to May 2025 has almost always received the most calls for service out of Horry County Police's four precincts. Leonhardt said the south is the busiest because it's where most permanent residents live. But a more detailed map from Crime Grade shows that most violent crime incidents per capita in Horry County occur in tourist areas where fewer residents live, not in Socastee or other residential areas. Crime Grade rates counties across the country based on machine-learning projection from previous reported data. At the end of each projection, it gives a grade. Myrtle Beach earned a D+ for its overall crime grade. Crime Grade's map shows that more crime occurred in Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Heights, near 21st and 22nd avenues North to Springmaid Beach, and even the Market Common district. That area includes popular tourist destinations like North Ocean Boulevard. However, Crime Grade pointed out that these areas may show high crime in part because of the few permanent residents in the area. 'Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather – even if few residents live there,' according to the interpretation from Crime Grade's website. 'The south part of the county has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate violent crime rates in that area.' It is the same explanation offered by Myrtle Beach city officials and Police Chief Amy Prock, who said that many of the recent violent crimes happening in the city have been committed by people who are not from Horry County. The deadly mass shooting that involved a Myrtle Beach Police officer in April occurred in the 900 block of North Ocean Boulevard and begun after a Marlboro County teenager allegedly fired his weapon into a crowd along a busy sidewalk downtown. Marlboro County, which includes Bennettsville, where the gunman lived, was given an F for crime and the city is shown with a high level of crime, according to Crime Grade's data. Other high violent crime areas in Horry County include Carolina Forest and neighborhoods along S.C. 9 between Loris and Longs where Horry County Police have said gang activity is high. The latest data showed the south precinct had received more than 6,000 calls for service in May. The north precinct, which contains Longs, Little River and North Myrtle Beach, is the fastest growing precinct in the county and where the county's new gang unit focuses much of its efforts, Leonhardt said. It received more than 4,700 calls for service in May. Leonhardt said that Horry County is not necessarily becoming more dangerous, but residents are seeing more crime because of the department's transparency efforts and media coverage. 'We see more bigger crime, so to speak,' Leonhardt said. 'We've always had crime issues. I think we're doing a better job of getting that information out there to our public so we are more transparent showing what is going on in your community. So I think that is great.' Locals commit crime too Myrtle Beach, however, continues to be reported as one of the most dangerous cities in South Carolina, according to previous reporting. It's something that city officials have continually refuted. Police agencies in Horry County reported 19 murders, according to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division's most recent crime report in 2023. That number is greater than almost all other police agencies in the state, though the murder rate per capita is lower than other counties such as Marlboro, Florence and Marion counties, the report showed. Leonhardt said that despite skepticism that most crimes come from people from outside the Myrtle Beach area, it's more complicated than placing most blame on non-residents. Many permanent residents commit crime in Horry County too, he said. More than 17 million people visit the Myrtle Beach area every year according to Visit Myrtle Beach. 'We have a mixture really because we are such a destination area,' Leonhardt said. 'So you'll see some of what I call 'transient crime' come here, they'll look for opportunities, if they find those, they exploit them, then they leave.' HCPD's strategy To deal with the influx of people in Horry County, the department will implement a fifth police precinct in the Carolina Forest area by Aug. 26. The department has also filled around 50 positions in two years which is unprecedented for other departments in the area, HCPD Public Information Officer Mikayla Moskov said. Myrtle Beach Police has previously said it has a shortage of 50 officers. 'We always keep track of our statistics,' Leonhardt said. 'Growth really drove the desire to start a new precinct and to be able to provide better services.' Horry County's population has grown by more than 60,000 people or 17.1% from 2020 to 2024, according to the U.S. Census. Leonhardt said the department's main safety strategy is deterrence through visibility. 'Being that visible deterrent is a huge first step,' Leonhardt said. 'But on the backside of that, it goes to growing those specialty units that can focus on special crimes. We've grown our traffic team, we've grown our street crimes team, our narcotics team, the implementation of the new gang unit has helped, I think it's a fine combination of all that is making a difference to make our community safer really.' Leonhardt has been working with HCPD since 2002, and has lived in the county since he was 6 or 7 years old, he said. Despite many of the crimes residents are seeing around the area, he couldn't pick a place he wouldn't live in. 'I live in Little River. I've lived there my whole life. I don't plan on going anywhere,' Leonhardt said. 'I love it. It's just my area, and so I think to say one area I couldn't do it, because it's all unique and it brings its own special flavor.'
Fox News
22-06-2025
- Fox News
Memorial Day weekend shooting leaves 11 injured near North Myrtle Beach as police hunt suspects
South Carolina authorities continue to search for the suspect or suspects who carried out a mass shooting that left 11 people injured on Sunday evening in Little River, near North Myrtle Beach. The Horry County Police Department described the shooting as an isolated incident stemming from an altercation on a charter boat during a private Memorial Day gathering. There were about 124 people onboard the boat, including four crew members, when the shooting occurred, Horry County police said during a Tuesday press conference. Three victims are still hospitalized while eight have been released, authorities said during the press conference. "This type of violence will not be tolerated in Horry County," HCPD Chief Kris Leonhardt said. "We are going to do our very best to investigate this case and bring criminal charges against these folks that have caused this incident here in our county." Horry County Fire Department Chief Joseph Tanner said authorities initially got a call around 9:15 p.m. reporting an injury and responded accordingly. Upon arrival, officials located multiple gunshot-wounded victims. The charter boat party attendees were from out of town, Leonhardt said, making it more difficult to track down witnesses. A total of 10 victims sustained gunshot wounds and another person reported an unknown injury not related to gunfire, the police department said in a Monday press release. Some victims were recovered from the water, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department (NMBPD) said in a separate press release. "Of those, the worst of the injured are in critical but stable condition at area hospitals," Horry County police said in a press release. Videos and photos posted to social media on Sunday evening showed a heavy police presence in the area of the Dolphin Cruise parking lot in Little River, located north of North Myrtle Beach. NMBPD also said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating a separate incident involving a responding North Myrtle Beach officer who was injured with his own firearm near the Harbourgate Marina in North Myrtle Beach. "A NMBPD Officer was entering a gate to the dock when his rifle discharged twice, with one of the rounds striking his leg," the department said in its press release. "At the time of the discharge, the Officer had both of his hands on the gate, which was confirmed by later video evidence. Due to the Officer not attempting to utilize his weapon at the time, all Officers on scene believed that shots were being fired from the marina area." The officer was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. Video footage obtained from a witness apparently shows the incident, and authorities determined that "the discharge was from the wounded Officer's rifle," and the scene was released to SLED. Horry County police said the shooting remains under investigation, and "there is currently no associated risk to the community." Crime concerns in and around Myrtle Beach have been heightened since April 26, when a shooting in the Myrtle Beach entertainment district left the shooter dead and 11 victims injured. Myrtle Beach officials described the shooting as an isolated incident at the time. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Horry County PD Crime Tip Line at 843-915-8477.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day weekend shooting leaves 11 injured near North Myrtle Beach as police hunt suspects
South Carolina authorities continue to search for the suspect or suspects who carried out a mass shooting that left 11 people injured on Sunday evening in Little River, near North Myrtle Beach. The Horry County Police Department described the shooting as an isolated incident stemming from an altercation on a charter boat during a private Memorial Day gathering. There were about 124 people onboard the boat, including four crew members, when the shooting occurred, Horry County police said during a Tuesday press conference. Three victims are still hospitalized while eight have been released, authorities said during the press conference. "This type of violence will not be tolerated in Horry County," HCPD Chief Kris Leonhardt said. "We are going to do our very best to investigate this case and bring criminal charges against these folks that have caused this incident here in our county." Mass Shooting Investigation Underway In South Carolina As Victims Flood Local Hospitals Horry County Fire Department Chief Joseph Tanner said authorities initially got a call around 9:15 p.m. reporting an injury and responded accordingly. Upon arrival, officials located multiple gunshot-wounded victims. Read On The Fox News App The charter boat party attendees were from out of town, Leonhardt said, making it more difficult to track down witnesses. A total of 10 victims sustained gunshot wounds and another person reported an unknown injury not related to gunfire, the police department said in a Monday press release. Some victims were recovered from the water, the North Myrtle Beach Police Department (NMBPD) said in a separate press release. "Of those, the worst of the injured are in critical but stable condition at area hospitals," Horry County police said in a press release. Southern Vacation Hot Spot Fires Back At Poor Safety Rating Following Shooting: 'Fake News' Videos and photos posted to social media on Sunday evening showed a heavy police presence in the area of the Dolphin Cruise parking lot in Little River, located north of North Myrtle Beach. NMBPD also said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating a separate incident involving a responding North Myrtle Beach officer who was injured with his own firearm near the Harbourgate Marina in North Myrtle Beach. "A NMBPD Officer was entering a gate to the dock when his rifle discharged twice, with one of the rounds striking his leg," the department said in its press release. "At the time of the discharge, the Officer had both of his hands on the gate, which was confirmed by later video evidence. Due to the Officer not attempting to utilize his weapon at the time, all Officers on scene believed that shots were being fired from the marina area." The officer was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. Mass Shooting In Myrtle Beach Tourist Hotspot Leaves 1 Dead, 11 Wounded Video footage obtained from a witness apparently shows the incident, and authorities determined that "the discharge was from the wounded Officer's rifle," and the scene was released to SLED. Horry County police said the shooting remains under investigation, and "there is currently no associated risk to the community." Crime concerns in and around Myrtle Beach have been heightened since April 26, when a shooting in the Myrtle Beach entertainment district left the shooter dead and 11 victims injured. Myrtle Beach officials described the shooting as an isolated incident at the time. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Horry County PD Crime Tip Line at article source: Memorial Day weekend shooting leaves 11 injured near North Myrtle Beach as police hunt suspects
Washington Post
27-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
All 11 victims are expected to survive the shooting near a South Carolina party boat
A fight on board a boat where 120 people were partying over the holiday weekend led to a shooting where 11 people were hurt along the South Carolina coast, authorities said. Only three of the people hurt in Sunday night's shooting remain in the hospital, and all are expected to survive, Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt said during a news conference Tuesday. The shooting happened on the dock in Little River along the Intracoastal Waterway as people were getting off the boat, Leonhardt said. Investigators believe only one person was firing. Ten people were shot and one person was hurt when a speaker fell on their head, authorities said. No arrests have been made. Leonhardt said many people ran for their lives when the gunfire erupted and were gone by the time officers arrived. The chief refused to say what started the dispute on the boat and how it led to the shooting on the dock. He also would not say what kind of weapon was used. 'Items were recovered, but that's part of the investigation, and we don't want to release it at this time,' Leonhardt said. Most of the victims were shot in the lower part of their bodies, Horry County Fire Chief Joseph Tanner said. The shooting around 9:15 p.m. Sunday happened where a private charter boat docks for cruises. About 120 people and four crew members were on the packed boat, authorities said. A flyer online advertised a party with a DJ on a three-hour cruise ending at 9 p.m. A woman who answered a phone number on the flyer told The Associated Press that she was distraught seeing her friends get shot, but then said she didn't want to talk anymore and hung up. Someone who answered the phone at the company that owns the boat told the AP he didn't want to talk to a reporter. About 3 miles (5 kilometers) down the Intracoastal Waterway, a North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg as he tried to get a boat into the water to respond to the shooting scene, officials said. Little River is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Myrtle Beach. The fishing village is known for its docks and marinas where fishing expeditions, casino boats and several dolphin cruises leave daily. The investigation into Sunday's shooting has been made a little harder because many of the people on the boat were from out of town and detectives are trying to track them down, Leonhardt said.
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- General
- Associated Press
All 11 victims are expected to survive the shooting near a South Carolina party boat
A fight on board a boat where 120 people were partying over the holiday weekend led to a shooting where 11 people were hurt along the South Carolina coast, authorities said. Only three of the people hurt in Sunday night's shooting remain in the hospital, and all are expected to survive, Horry County Police Chief Kris Leonhardt said during a news conference Tuesday. The shooting happened on the dock in Little River along the Intracoastal Waterway as people were getting off the boat, Leonhardt said. Investigators believe only one person was firing. Ten people were shot and one person was hurt when a speaker fell on their head, authorities said. No arrests have been made. Leonhardt said many people ran for their lives when the gunfire erupted and were gone by the time officers arrived. The chief refused to say what started the dispute on the boat and how it led to the shooting on the dock. He also would not say what kind of weapon was used. 'Items were recovered, but that's part of the investigation, and we don't want to release it at this time,' Leonhardt said. Most of the victims were shot in the lower part of their bodies, Horry County Fire Chief Joseph Tanner said. The shooting around 9:15 p.m. Sunday happened where a private charter boat docks for cruises. About 120 people and four crew members were on the packed boat, authorities said. A flyer online advertised a party with a DJ on a three-hour cruise ending at 9 p.m. A woman who answered a phone number on the flyer told The Associated Press that she was distraught seeing her friends get shot, but then said she didn't want to talk anymore and hung up. Someone who answered the phone at the company that owns the boat told the AP he didn't want to talk to a reporter. About 3 miles (5 kilometers) down the Intracoastal Waterway, a North Myrtle Beach police officer accidentally shot himself in the leg as he tried to get a boat into the water to respond to the shooting scene, officials said. Little River is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northeast of Myrtle Beach. The fishing village is known for its docks and marinas where fishing expeditions, casino boats and several dolphin cruises leave daily. The investigation into Sunday's shooting has been made a little harder because many of the people on the boat were from out of town and detectives are trying to track them down, Leonhardt said.
