MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Horry County Police have made an arrest in connection to a shooting outside of a gentlemen's club last weekend.
Booking records at J. Reuben Long Detention Center show the suspect, 30-year-old Gerard Antonio Watts of Myrtle Beach, was booked into their facility on Wednesday.
He is charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a pistol and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Around 3:00 a.m. on the morning of Dec. 1, Horry County Police were called to an apparent shooting in the parking lot of Club Crush, a gentlemen's club off Highway 17 Bypass South.
Police tape was strung up around Club Crush while authorities were investigating.
According to Sgt. Kegler with Horry County Police, a second shooting happened moments later at the Red Barn Tavern, right down the street from Crush.
According to Joan Carroza, a spokesperson for Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, three gunshot wound patients arrived at the hospital early Saturday morning into the emergency room - two from Club Crush and one from the Red Barn Tavern.
Family and friends of those patients were in the lobby and got into an argument, causing a disturbance. Security intervened and Myrtle Beach Police were called in as a precaution.
Following the disturbance, the hospital went on a lock down from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., just as an additional safety measure. Emergency Services were operating as usual, but all entrances to the hospital had extra security.
The hospital remained on a limited lock down until 4 p.m., visitors must check in with security and provide the name of the patient they are there to see.
Ms. Carroza says the remaining day has been "fairly normal, fairly quiet," and the added security is just a precaution.
The HCPD is handling the investigation. At this time, police do not believe the shootings are connected and are still looking for suspects.
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Gerard Watts (Source: J. Reuben Long Detention Center)
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