Seeking Justice for Victims After the Little River Boat Party Shooting

A Memorial Day weekend celebration turned into a frightening and chaotic scene in Little River, South Carolina on Sunday night. Gunfire broke out on board the private charter boat either during or just after the three hour cruise. Ten people were shot, leaving some in critical condition. The victims and their families are now left searching for answers about how the party took such a dangerous turn.

Key facts about the Little River shooting

The incident occurred near the dock or marina area in Little River, SC — which is a coastal town about 20 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach. According to reports, the shots were fired around 9:30 pm. The DJ party cruise was advertised online and through fliers. A person who answered the phone number associated with the event promoter spoke to reporters by phone, expressing that she was distraught after witnessing the violence, but declined to offer further comments.

The boat company declined any public comment.

Horry County Police are leading the investigation, but no arrests have been made as of May 27, 2025. One North Myrtle Beach police officer also suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound while responding to the shooting. He is currently in stable condition.

First responders rushed the victims of the shooting to nearby hospitals. Some of the severely injured individuals were airlifted. Reports indicate that a few of those shot were in critical condition.

Liability in mass shootings at events

Events like this cruise often involve event promoters, third-party vendors, and vessel operators who may share some liability if those who attend suffer severe injuries. Essentially, this means that in addition to the criminal investigation and prosecution of the person responsible for the injuries, the event promoter and other parties may face civil liability and be required to pay victims damages.

Liability in cases like this could stem from unsafe conditions, inadequate crowd control measures or insufficient security practices. Even in cases where no criminal charges are ever filed, these parties may face civil liability.

Examples of liability for event promoters and others

Some notable examples of incidents that led to liability include the Travis Scott Astroworld concert and the Mandalay Bay shooting. In the Travis Scott case, a crowd surge caused the deaths of ten people and injured hundreds. Travis Scott, Live Nation (which promoted the event) and other involved parties faced hundreds of lawsuits from those who were injured and families of those killed. The theory of liability focused on negligent crowd control and event safety measures at the concert, including issues like inadequate security and too few medical personnel.

In the case of the Route 91 Harvest Festival at Mandalay Bay, a gunman killed 58 people and caused more than 800 injuries when he opened fire at concert goers. That incident led to MGM Resorts International (the company that owns Mandalay Bay), agreeing to an $800 million settlement for the victims. MGM did not admit any wrongdoing. These cases and others like them illustrate the rights of victims injured at unsafe events.

Victims can seek accountability and compensation

In a successful claim, victims may be able to recover damages for their losses. The court may award compensation to cover the following:

• Medical expenses (emergency transport, hospitalization, follow-up care)
• Lost income or earning potential
• Emotional trauma or PTSD
• Long-term disability or rehabilitation

Families of those critically injured may also be able to pursue loss of consortium or dependent support claims. For those injured in the Little River boat shooting, it’s important to start preserving evidence and building a claim immediately. That means securing experienced legal representation.

Local representation for victims of the Little River shooting

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has office locations throughout South Carolina, including in Myrtle Beach. Our attorneys are actively investigating this incident. We have decades of experience helping South Carolinians seek justice after suffering personal injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We’re prepared to offer compassionate support and legal guidance to the victims of this tragic incident and their families as they seek answers and begin their path toward recovery.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in this terrible shooting, you need to understand your rights. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips can help. Call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers.