South Carolina man charged with first 'hate intimidation' crime

Timothy James Truett Jr. accused of opening fire at Myrtle Beach nightclub

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:00am

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An extreme close-up of a shiny spent shell casing resting on a rough concrete surface, conceptually representing evidence from a bias-motivated crime.A recent shooting at a Myrtle Beach nightclub has led to the state's first 'hate intimidation' charge, exposing the ongoing challenge of addressing bias-motivated crimes.Myrtle Beach Today

A 37-year-old South Carolina man named Timothy James Truett Jr. remains in custody on a $300,000 bond after he allegedly opened fire at a Myrtle Beach nightclub on April 1, according to local reports. Truett was detained by the Myrtle Beach Police Department following the incident, though the motive remains unclear.

Why it matters

This is the first case in South Carolina to be charged under the state's new 'hate intimidation' law, which allows for enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. The law was passed in 2025 in response to a rise in hate-related incidents across the state.

The details

According to police, Truett allegedly opened fire outside the nightclub on April 1, though no injuries were reported. Authorities have not yet determined if the incident was personally motivated or related to the victim's sexual orientation or the location of the nightclub.

  • The incident occurred on April 1, 2026 outside a Myrtle Beach nightclub.
  • Truett was detained by Myrtle Beach police following the shooting.

The players

Timothy James Truett Jr.

A 37-year-old man from Clover, South Carolina who was charged with the state's first 'hate intimidation' crime after allegedly opening fire at a Myrtle Beach nightclub.

Myrtle Beach Police Department

The law enforcement agency that detained Truett following the April 1 incident at the nightclub.

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What’s next

Truett is being held on a $300,000 bond as the investigation into the motive for the shooting continues. Prosecutors will determine if the 'hate intimidation' charge will be pursued.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of South Carolina's new 'hate intimidation' law, which aims to crack down on bias-motivated crimes in the state. The outcome of this case will set a precedent for how the law is applied going forward.