A Clover man is facing multiple criminal charges, including hate intimidation, after Myrtle Beach police say he fired shots outside an LGBTQ nightclub on April 1.
The Incident
Officers responded just before 11 a.m. to the 2700 block of South Kings Highway after reports of a weapon discharge outside Pulse Ultra Club, an LGBTQ nightclub in Myrtle Beach. The nightclub’s owner, Ken Phillips, said he found the back window and windshield of his SUV shattered by bullets when he went to leave the club. An SUV with blue plastic covering a window was left at the scene.
No injuries were reported. Myrtle Beach police later announced they had stopped a vehicle matching the description connected to the incident and detained a suspect.
The Charges
Timothy James Truett Jr., 37, of Clover, has been charged with hate intimidation, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, discharging a firearm into a dwelling, discharging a firearm within the city, and damaging property. He is currently being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center on more than $310,000 in bond across all charges. A bail hearing is scheduled for April 10.
The Owner’s Response
Phillips described the incident as frightening and said he was still trying to process what happened and why.
What’s Next
The Myrtle Beach Police Department has asked anyone with additional information to contact their non-emergency line at 843-918-1382. The investigation remains active.
Source: Myrtle Beach Police Department
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
