Attorney for victim of Little River mass shooting claims boat lacked proper security

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - One of the 10 people shot in a party boat shooting in Little River and his attorney are claiming there was a lack of security on the boat.

Jeremy Evans and his civil rights attorney, Tyler Bailey, held a news conference Wednesday to discuss the case and Bailey’s law firm’s investigation into the May 25 shooting.

Bailey said that the shooting never should have happened, and it should have been a good Memorial Day weekend for his client.

“He’s really thanking God he’s even here right now,” Bailey said, referring to Evans, who was shot in the ankle, with the bullet hitting a main artery. “He could of lost his life as so many others could have as well.”

Evans was among the 120-plus people on a party boat that docked in Little River. Evans said he is from Atlanta, Georgia, and that six out of the 10 victims were his friends.

He added that this shooting has flipped his world upside down.

“I faced unbearable pain as a result of my injuries,” Evans said. “This incident traumatized not only me but the lives of many others who are affected and lived through this situation.”

Bailey claims that his firm’s investigation revealed there was “essentially” no security for the party and no one checking IDs, despite it being an 18-plus event.

Bailey said that despite someone being there to “pat down” people, the shooters had the guns on the boat. It isn’t clear if this person patting people down was with a security company or just a guy with a shirt on “acting” as if he were security, according to Bailey.

Bailey also said that even though there are reports of there being no alcohol on the boat, he claims bottles of tequila were being sold.

In terms of the nature of the party, Evans said that the party was not a private event, with tickets being sold on Eventbrite and other means.

“There were no identification check at any time of this event,” Evans said. “So, I mean, anybody could have came on this boat.”

Bailey said that they plan to file a lawsuit against anyone who had a role in the shooting. The attorney specifically mentions they are looking at naming the owner of the party boat in the lawsuit.

Horry County police have arrested two people in the case: 19-year-old Shawon Williams and a 16-year-old boy from North Carolina.

The full news conference can be viewed below:

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WMBF. For more free content like this, download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.