Crime
Shooting incident with multiple victims reported in Surfside Beach, South Carolina
Emergency services are on the scene, and the area has been secured.
UPDATE: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred near Surfside Beach on Thursday night.
Neil Wade Brown, 60, was taken into custody around 11 PM by Horry County police. Specific charges against him have not been released at this time.
The incident began around 9 PM near S. Reindeer Road, resulting in two people being shot. Both victims were transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds, one in the thigh and the other in the hip. Their current conditions are unknown.
The Horry County Police Department’s special operations unit, a SWAT team, negotiators, and a drone operator responded to the scene.
Further details regarding the incident will be provided as the investigation progresses.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Surfside Beach, SC – Surfside Beach Police responded to a report of a multiple-victim shooting on S. Reindeer Road and Auburn Lane.
According to police reports, two individuals were shot, and additional shots were fired.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation.
Emergency services are on the scene, and the area has been secured.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Crime
Stephen McKenzie Identified as Suspect in Pembroke Park Shooting That Left Mother and Three Children Dead
PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Authorities have identified the suspect in a horrific mass shooting at a Pembroke Park apartment complex as 34-year-old Stephen McKenzie, the father of two of the youngest victims.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her children.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Pembroke Park Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman and three children fatally shot inside the residence.
The victims were identified as:
- Julie Cruz, 32 (mother)
- Xion Solomon, 11
- Nova McKenzie, 2
- Emery McKenzie, 2
Both Nova and Emery were McKenzie’s biological children, authorities confirmed.
Additionally, first responders found 8-year-old Phiinyx Solomon suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was immediately transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
McKenzie was also located at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, according to investigators.
He was transported to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition and is currently in police custody.
During a press briefing, BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro confirmed that McKenzie has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
“Upon arrival, officers found a woman and three children inside the apartment, all of whom were pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds. Another child and an adult male were also found injured. That male has now been identified as the suspect,” Caro stated.
The children’s grandmother arrived at the scene shortly after authorities notified her of the tragedy, collapsing into tears as she grieved the loss of her daughter and grandchildren.
“That’s my daughter! That’s my daughter!” she wailed in agony, as bystanders and neighbors attempted to console her.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the attack, but neighbors and community members are left shocked and devastated by the brutal act of domestic violence.
“I just don’t understand what could lead someone to do something so terrible,” said one neighbor.
McKenzie remains hospitalized under police watch as the BSO Homicide Unit continues its investigation.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.