Myrtle Beach Officer Cleared After Fatal April Ocean Boulevard Shooting

A Myrtle Beach police officer, Brandon O’Rourke, who fatally shot 18-year-old Jerrius Davis after Davis fired multiple rounds at a crowd on Ocean Boulevard in April 2025, will not face criminal charges. Following an investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and a review by 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson, the use of deadly force was deemed justified under the objective reasonableness standard and elevated threat level. O’Rourke had been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation but is now cleared to return to full active duty. The incident lasted less than five seconds, during which Davis opened fire and O’Rourke returned fire with five shots, resulting in Davis's death. Two other officers were present but did not fire their weapons. The Myrtle Beach Police Department conducted a parallel internal investigation and is preparing a redacted version of the investigative report for public release.