Myrtle Beach shooting leaves three dead, four injured

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., May 26 (UPI) -- The holiday weekend turned violent in Myrtle Beach on Saturday, as one of several of altercations left three dead and one injured at Bermuda Sands, where the South Carolina beach resort was hosting its annual BikeFest.

Three others were injured in two separate incidents -- one in a shooting on Saturday night not far from the first, and two in a Sunday night shooting at the Wave Rider Resort.

In statement released over the weekend, Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of commerce, said: "The senseless acts of criminals and unruly visitors have once again marred what should have been a stellar weekend celebrating our Armed Forces and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of America."

Tensions were high for public safety officials, as the influx of tourists taxed resources. Between 5 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday, police reported 722 calls.

"We have every available officer working," Myrtle Beach police spokesman Capt. David Knipes said. "There's not much more we can do with the resources we have available."