Carolinas mourn after weekend shootings leave two dead, 17 injured
Two firearm-related incidents over the weekend shook North and South Carolina. As a result of these events, there are two fatalities, and 17 people were injured.
What do you need to know?
- Where did the shootings occur? One shooting took place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and the other on the Elizabeth City State University campus in North Carolina.
- How many people were affected? In total, two people died, and 17 were injured in both incidents.
- By April 2025, 91 mass shootings have already been recorded in the USA.
The Sunday shooting occurred on the Elizabeth City State University campus, a historically African-American state college, after the conclusion of Yard Fest—the final event of the week-long Viking Fest celebration. It is an annual festival celebrating culture, history, and entertainment with Nordic roots.
At the scene of the incident, a 24-year-old man, who was not a student, was pronounced dead. His identity remains undisclosed. Four people, including three students, sustained gunshot wounds, and two other students were injured in the chaos. All of the injured were transported to the hospital.
University authorities, cited by NBC News, expressed deep sorrow over the senseless act. In response to the tragedy, they increased the number of patrols on campus.
Shooting in Myrtle Beach
On the other hand, late Saturday evening in the popular tourist destination of Myrtle Beach, there was a shooting resulting in one death and 11 injuries. The shooting followed a quarrel, which erupted just before midnight.
In the face of imminent threat, a police officer shot an 18-year-old suspect, who died. Eleven other people sustained injuries and received medical attention.
Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune, quoted by Fox News, praised the swift actions of the officer, noting that he reacted immediately upon witnessing the escalation of the quarrel. She emphasized that, in her view, his quick response likely saved other lives.
According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, by April 2025, 91 mass shootings have been recorded in the USA, in which 119 people died, and 337 were injured. The organization defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people, excluding the perpetrator, are injured or killed.
