In the small coastal town of Little River, South Carolina, Sunday night turned to terror when gunfire tore through Watson Avenue, wounding at least 11 people in a mass shooting that’s left hospitals overwhelmed and hearts broken.

The Horry County Police Department is pouring over the evidence, calling it an “active and ongoing investigation,” but with few answers so far, a community rooted in faith and togetherness is reeling, their trust in safety shattered by an act of violence that feels all too close to home.

The shooting erupted around 9 p.m. on May 25, 2025, sending victims to local hospitals in a frantic rush.

“Eleven victims transported to hospitals after mass shooting in Horry County,” the police department stated in a brief social media update, their words a stark confirmation of the tragedy’s scale.

They added that others may have sought treatment on their own, hinting at a toll that could grow.

“Please turn to trusted sources such as this page and local news outlets for updates—we cannot attest to the validity of other sources,” they urged, a plea for calm in a town grappling with fear and uncertainty.

Little River, a place known for its quiet charm and tight-knit spirit, isn’t supposed to be the backdrop for this kind of horror.

The area’s churches, where families gather for Sunday services and potlucks, now face the grim task of comforting a community in shock.

No names of victims or suspects have been released, no motive shared, leaving residents to pray for the wounded and brace for what comes next.

“Information may evolve as the investigation goes on; additional details will be provided when and as possible,” the police promised, but the silence weighs heavy on those who want to know why their town was targeted.

This isn’t the first time Horry County has faced such pain. Just a month ago, a shooting in nearby Myrtle Beach’s tourist district left one dead and 11 wounded, a wound still fresh for many.

That violence prompted debates over safety in a region that thrives on visitors and small-town pride, with officials defending their communities against claims of rising crime.

Now, Little River’s tragedy forces those questions back to the surface, challenging the faith of people who believed their streets were safe, their neighbors secure.

The police and Horry County Fire Rescue worked side by side into the night, cordoning off Watson Avenue and urging residents to stay away. But beyond the crime tape, the real work is just beginning—rebuilding a sense of trust, of hope, in a place where violence has left its mark.

For the faithful, it’s a time to lean on prayer, to hold fast to the belief that love and community can outlast fear. “This is an active and ongoing investigation,” the police repeated, a reminder that answers are coming, however slowly.

As Little River wakes to a new day, the road ahead is uncertain. Hospitals are tending to the wounded, families are clinging to hope, and a town is asking how to heal. Faith in safety, in justice, in the promise of a peaceful tomorrow—it’s all under fire, but the people here are no strangers to resilience. They’ll gather, they’ll pray, and they’ll fight to reclaim what was taken.

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