At least 11 hospitalized following South Carolina beach town shooting, police say

At least 11 people were hospitalized Sunday night in a shooting at a South Carolina beach town, police said.

The Horry County Police Department said in a statement that there are likely more victims who were taken to medical facilities in private vehicles following the gunfire in the community of Little River. Conditions of the injured were unavailable.

An investigation into the violence was described by police as “active” and “ongoing.”

“Community members are advised to steer clear of the area as public safety personnel do their work,” police said.

A North Myrtle Beach police officer responding to the shooting was injured when his gun accidentally fired, Myrtle Beach police said in a separate statement. The officer, who suffered a leg wound, was stabilized at a hospital, the department said.

The shooting sometime before 10 p.m. was isolated to its original location near the Intercoastal Waterway, police said. “There is no risk to the community at this time,” they said.

It wasn’t clear what precipitated the violence or whether more than one shooter may have been involved.

Little River is a community of more than 11,000 people along the South Carolina coast’s Grand Strand and near the state’s border with North Carolina.

The town is known for its deep-sea fishing charters, boat cruises and casino boats. It’s about 25 miles northeast of Myrtle Beach.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.