Myrtle Beach Pulse Nightclub Shooting

By: Paul Goldberg, Senior Correspondent | LGBT Crime News

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — (April 11, 2026) — A South Carolina man is in custody after gunfire erupted outside the Pulse nightclub in Myrtle Beach, an incident now being investigated as a potential hate crime that has reignited fears within the LGBTQ community.

The incident has also drawn comparisons to the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, one of the deadliest attacks on LGBTQ people in U.S. history, underscoring ongoing concerns about the safety of LGBTQ spaces.

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Authorities with the Myrtle Beach Police Department identified the suspect as 37-year-old Timothy James Truett of Clover, South Carolina. He has been charged with assault or intimidation based on political beliefs or the exercise of civil rights, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and discharging a firearm into a dwelling.

The shooting occurred outside the Pulse Ultra Club, a venue that has served as a gathering place for the local LGBTQ community for more than 15 years. Police responded to a shots-fired call late Wednesday morning after reports of multiple gunshots in the area.

According to investigators, a victim who had just exited the nightclub reported hearing approximately five to six gunshots before discovering that his vehicle had been struck, with windows shattered by the gunfire. Authorities later confirmed that multiple projectiles also struck the exterior of the building, raising concerns about the potential for serious injury.

Surveillance footage played a key role in the investigation. Arrest warrants indicate that video captured a silver-colored vehicle stopping in the roadway, with visible muzzle flashes coming from the passenger-side window. Officers later conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle matching that description and reportedly recovered a firearm along with spent shell casings believed to be connected to the shooting.

Truett was taken into custody without incident and booked into the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, where he remains held without bond as of Friday.

Officials confirmed that the charges were filed under Myrtle Beach’s hate intimidation ordinance, which was enacted in 2024 to address crimes targeting individuals or businesses based on identity or civil rights protections. This case marks the first time the ordinance has been used in a criminal prosecution, signaling a significant step in how local authorities respond to alleged bias-motivated incidents.

While investigators have not publicly disclosed a definitive motive, the nature of the charges and the targeting of a known LGBTQ venue have heightened concern among community leaders. Advocacy groups continue to warn that LGBTQ spaces—long viewed as safe havens—remain vulnerable to acts of intimidation and violence.

No injuries were reported in the incident, but authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active. Additional charges could be filed pending further review of evidence as the case moves through the court system.

In the days following the shooting, the owner of the Pulse Ultra Club has moved forward with a major community fundraiser, reinforcing the venue’s long-standing role beyond nightlife. Owner Ken Phillips said the incident shook patrons but also underscored the importance of maintaining the club as a safe and supportive space for the LGBTQ community.

Phillips, who has operated the venue for decades, highlighted the club’s deep ties to local outreach efforts, including fundraising initiatives that support nonprofit organizations providing food, advocacy, and assistance across the Grand Strand. Despite heightened concerns following the shooting, he confirmed that upcoming events—including one of the club’s largest annual fundraisers—will proceed as planned, signaling a message of resilience and unity in the face of violence.

Stay with JRL CHARTS LGBT Hate Crime News for verified updates and continued coverage of crimes impacting the LGBTQ community across the United States and worldwide.