Surfside beach woman arrested after allegedly pointing gun near myrtle beach demonstration

Surfside Beach woman arrested after allegedly pointing gun near Myrtle Beach demonstration

Posted by
1 min read
October 18, 2025

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — A woman was taken into custody Saturday afternoon after allegedly brandishing a firearm near a planned demonstration in Myrtle Beach, according to police.

Officers observed the suspect display a gun from a vehicle around 2:09 p.m. near the protest area, authorities said.

She was arrested without incident and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm.


Key Points

  • The incident occurred around 2:09 p.m. on Oct. 18 near a demonstration in Myrtle Beach.
  • Police say the suspect displayed a firearm from her vehicle.
  • Mary Moriarty, 59, of Surfside Beach, was arrested and charged.

Officers act quickly near protest area

The Myrtle Beach Police Department said officers patrolling near a planned demonstration witnessed the woman holding a gun while traveling in her vehicle. They immediately conducted a traffic stop and took her into custody.

Authorities identified the suspect as Mary Moriarty, 59, of Surfside Beach. Police said no one was injured and there was no threat to public safety following the arrest.

Investigation remains ongoing

Moriarty faces one count of pointing and presenting a firearm, a criminal offense under South Carolina law. The department did not specify whether the weapon was loaded or if it was displayed toward demonstrators.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department thanked the public for their cooperation during the incident.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss