Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Shooting Mystery Solved

Myrtle Beach Shooting

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Murders: A Killer Among the Tourists

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—a sun-soaked paradise known for its sandy shores, neon-lit boardwalk, and endless summer revelry. But in the summer of 2016, a shadow fell over the tourist hotspot when a string of shootings left two dead and a community gripped by fear. The case would unravel into a twisted tale of mistaken identity, gang violence, and a killer hiding in plain sight.

The Night the Boardwalk Ran Red

On July 23, 2016, the Myrtle Beach boardwalk was packed with vacationers enjoying the warm night air. Music blared from beachfront bars, children laughed near the arcades, and couples strolled along the pier. But just after midnight, gunfire erupted near the popular Senor Frog’s restaurant.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene: a lone gunman, dressed in dark clothing, weaving through the crowd before firing multiple shots into a group of men near 8th Avenue North. When the smoke cleared, 21-year-old Tykwane Woods lay dead, and another man was critically wounded.

Panic spread as police swarmed the area, but the shooter vanished into the night.

A Second Killing—And a Shocking Connection

Just three weeks later, on August 14, another shooting rocked Myrtle Beach. This time, the victim was 19-year-old Jermaine Dion Alston, gunned down near the Bermuda Sands Motel. At first, the cases seemed unrelated—just another tragic night in a city known for its rowdy nightlife.

But detectives soon uncovered a chilling link: both victims had been mistaken for rival gang members.

The Killer Emerges

Investigators zeroed in on a local gang, the 'Money Green Team' (MGT), known for its violent feuds with a rival faction. Surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic evidence led them to 19-year-old Marquise Love, a known MGT enforcer.

Love, it turned out, had been hunting for rivals that summer. Woods and Alston weren’t gang members—they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Arrest and Aftermath

Love was arrested in September 2016 and charged with both murders. In a shocking twist, prosecutors revealed that Love had bragged about the killings on social media, even posting photos flashing gang signs near the crime scenes.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, and weapons charges, receiving a 45-year prison sentence.

A Lingering Mystery

While Love’s conviction brought some closure, questions remain. Were others involved in the shootings? And how many more unsolved killings in Myrtle Beach are tied to gang violence?

To this day, locals warn tourists to stay vigilant after dark—because in a city built on fantasy, real-life monsters sometimes walk among the crowds.

Case Status: Closed (Marquise Love convicted, serving 45 years)
Unsolved Aspects: Possible accomplices, additional gang-related shootings in the area.

Do you think Love acted alone? Or was this part of a larger gang war? Sound off in the comments.

Myrtle Beach Boardwalk Shooting Mystery Solved

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