Boat Party Turns Violent: Jeremy Evans Among Victims, U.S. Navy Sailor Shawon Williams Arrested for Mass Shooting
LITTLE RIVER, SC / LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 19-year-old U.S. Navy sailor has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting that unfolded during a chaotic scene over Memorial Day weekend in Little River, South Carolina, injuring at least 10 people and sparking widespread concern over safety at holiday gatherings.
Authorities identified the suspect as Shawon Shamarion Williams, a Hull Maintenance Technician Seaman stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago. Williams was assigned to the Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, according to officials from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
He was taken into custody Thursday afternoon in Lake County, Illinois, where he is being held in the county jail as a fugitive of justice. Williams is now facing multiple charges including attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Extradition proceedings to return him to South Carolina are expected to begin following his initial court appearance in Illinois on Friday morning.
Shooting Followed Memorial Day Celebration
The violence erupted on Saturday, May 25, shortly after 9:15 p.m., just as guests were disembarking from a private charter boat in the Little River waterfront area — a coastal community situated just south of the North Carolina border. The event, titled “Rock Tha Boat Jackie-O & Friends Annual Birthday Boat Party,” was organized by Jacklyn Patrice Bellamy and drew dozens of attendees for what was meant to be a festive holiday weekend celebration.
But as the party came to an end and the boat docked near Watson Avenue, an argument broke out among guests. Investigators believe the dispute quickly escalated, leading to a burst of gunfire that left several people wounded on the dock.
Witnesses Describe a Scene of Panic and Bloodshed
Amid the chaos, cellphone footage captured the terrifying moments when gunshots rang out, with partygoers screaming and scrambling for safety. The grainy video, shared widely on social media, shows guests ducking and fleeing in all directions as the sound of multiple shots echoes through the area.
Jeremy Evans, one of the ten victims, spoke from his hospital bed, describing the horror of the incident.
“We got shot coming off the boat,” Evans recounted. “I was on the pier when I got hit in the leg. I had to take off my shorts and wrap them around the wound. It was a mass shooting. Ten of us got sprayed on that deck.”
Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene and began treating victims, several of whom suffered serious injuries. All were transported to local hospitals for care. None of the injuries have so far been reported as fatal, but some victims remain in critical condition.
Navy Confirms Suspect’s Identity and Assignment
In a statement released late Thursday, Cmdr. Jessica L. McNulty, spokesperson for the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, confirmed Williams’ assignment and said the Navy is cooperating fully with local law enforcement authorities.
“Seaman Shawon Williams was taken into custody in Illinois and is being held pending extradition to South Carolina,” McNulty said. “This incident is deeply concerning, and the Navy is working closely with investigators.”
Ongoing Investigation and Search for Additional Suspects
The Horry County Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the shooting, emphasized that the motive appears to be rooted in a personal dispute that escalated during the party. Detectives are continuing to review video footage and interview witnesses, and they have not ruled out additional arrests.
“We believe this was not a random act of violence,” an HCPD spokesperson said. “Preliminary evidence suggests a confrontation between individuals who knew each other, and unfortunately, others were caught in the crossfire.”
Police are urging anyone with photos, videos, or firsthand knowledge of the shooting to contact investigators. They believe additional information could be critical in identifying all parties involved and understanding how the confrontation turned so violent.
Community Outrage and Renewed Calls for Safety Measures
The incident has rattled both the local community in Little River and broader circles, as news of the shooting spread rapidly during what should have been a weekend of remembrance and celebration. The use of firearms at a private event aboard a boat has raised questions about security oversight, event planning, and gun control enforcement in South Carolina.
Horry County officials acknowledged the community’s growing concerns.
“We are all shaken by what happened on Saturday night,” one local official said. “A joyful celebration ended in gunfire. We have to do more to ensure that events like these are safe — for everyone.”
Community activists and victims’ families are now calling for greater accountability, including better enforcement of background checks, more robust venue security, and stronger partnerships between event organizers and local law enforcement.
What Comes Next
As of Friday, Williams remains in custody in Lake County Jail, where he will face a court hearing related to his extradition. South Carolina authorities are prepared to formally charge him once he is transferred back to their jurisdiction.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say they are still working to identify all individuals involved, analyze ballistics evidence, and determine whether any additional firearms were used in the shooting.
Meanwhile, families of the injured continue to wait anxiously for updates on their loved ones’ conditions, while the community of Little River grapples with the aftermath of one of the most violent incidents in recent local memory.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.