Victim held suspect at gunpoint to stop machete attack in Myrtle Beach, report says

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Two people feared for their lives after a man allegedly ran at them with a machete in Myrtle Beach.

Officers with the Myrtle Beach Police Department responded Nov. 25 to the 500 block of Piedmont Avenue near Highway 17 Bypass for a disturbance.

They arrived at ABC Mobile, a vehicle maintenance shop, saw the suspect, identified as Thomas Walsh, 41, and took him into custody.

The victims said that Walsh was trespassing at a nearby used car dealership, Competition Cars, armed with a large machete, according to the police report.

Walsh set off Competition Cars’ burglary alarm, which caused him to panic and run toward ABC Mobile, where the victims were working on the front fence, the report said.

Walsh ran at the victims with the machete in hand, which made them fear for their lives, the report said.

According to the report, Walsh got 4 to 5 feet from one of the victims and held the machete in a “ready” position as if he were going to attack.

That is when one of the victims pulled out a concealed-carry gun, as Walsh dropped the machete, the report said.

After dropping it, Walsh quickly tried to grab the machete, but the victim then fired a shot in an “unknown direction,” and Walsh dropped it again, according to the documents.

This time, the victim was able to kick the machete away and hold Walsh at gunpoint while one of the ABC Mobile managers called police, the report said.

Police charged Walsh with first-degree assault and battery.

Jail records show Walsh is being held at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

Police also arrested Walsh in connection with a June 2022 attempted armed robbery in Myrtle Beach.

However, public records show the armed robbery charge was dismissed.

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