Man arrested after alleged gay slur, assault

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The Myrtle Beach Police Department has arrested a Myrtle Beach man on charges he allegedly assaulted his gay roommate and barred him from leaving an apartment Wednesday.

According to a police report, officers responded to an address along Columbia Avenue around 11 p.m. in reference to an assault. Upon arrival, they spoke with the victim who stated his roommate, Michael Shawn Miller, 46, had punched the victim several times in the face.

The victim, who is openly homosexual, said Miller had been drinking and became upset when he thought the victim was "hitting on him." When the victim said he wasn't, Miller allegedly then said he wasn't "a [gay slur]" and began punching the victim.

According to the victim, he curled up and attempted to defend himself, but Miller continued to hit him.

The report stated the victim told officers Miller stopped hitting him and said the victim "was going to follow his orders." At that time, the victim said Miller made him get a drink of alcohol, which the victim did.

According to the victim, he attempted to leave the apartment, but Miller physically blocked him from leaving. Miller allegedly passed out about two hours later, at which time the victim went to a friend's house and called the police.

Officers observed a severe laceration to the victim's forehead above his left eye, his left ear was bleeding and the left side of his face was severely swollen. The victim and his clothes were said to be covered with blood, according to the report.

Officers found Miller sleeping inside the apartment, but were unable to wake him by knocking on the door. According to the report, as officers were at the location, Miller unexpectedly exited the apartment. At that time, Miller was placed under arrest and was said to have a laceration on his left forearm.

Miller was then transported to the Myrtle Beach Jail.

Capt. David Knipes, spokesman for the Myrtle Beach Police Department, said warrants were being pursued on charges of assault and battery as well as kidnapping.

Knipes said detectives were looking into whether or not they would investigate the assault as a hate crime, based on the information given by the victim.

Court records with the Horry County Public Index indicate Miller pled guilty in January to assault and battery in the second degree for a previous assault in 2010. He was sentenced to one year in prison suspended to time served and had to pay court costs.

Details surrounding that incident were not immediately available.

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