Early Sunday morning, April 14, 2024, Jorge Orellana, a 27-year-old man from Hendersonville, North Carolina lost his life in a desperate attempt to escape gunfire at a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina hotel. The tragic event happened on the sixth floor of Hotel Blue, a popular oceanfront destination, where guests reported multiple gunshots around 1:30 AM.
Authorities said Orellana was in a hotel room where the gunfire erupted and, in a desperate bid to escape the chaos, attempted to scale down the building from the balcony. His attempt ended fatally as he plunged nearly six stories, sustaining massive upper-body trauma. He was transported to nearby Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
The Myrtle Beach Police Department, responding to the emergency call, secured the scene and confirmed that while the gunshots did not injure anyone else, the situation led to the fatal fall. Police have identified all individuals involved in the incident and have recovered the firearm used in the shooting.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the shooting occurred during a disturbance in one of the hotel rooms. Details on what prompted the shooting remain unclear as the investigation is ongoing. The public has been urged to come forward with any information that could assist in unraveling the events that led to Orellana’s untimely death.
Daniel Richardson, a visitor in the city with his family, remembered hearing the gunshots over the music he was playing on his hotel balcony. “The sound was unmistakable, quite distinct from a bass,” he noted. Richardson shared that the incident initially made his family consider shortening their vacation for their children’s safety. However, the swift action by the police reassured them, prompting them to remain for the duration of their trip. “The situation seemed to be under control quickly,” he observed.
“The quick response of our officers ensured no further harm came to other guests,” a spokesperson for the Myrtle Beach Police Department stated. Meanwhile, hotel guests like Daniel Richardson expressed relief over the police’s handling of the incident, noting that the swift action reassured others at the scene.
This incident has raised concerns about safety in tourist-popular areas, particularly in hotels where many people gather. Hotel Blue has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident but has cooperated with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.
Police continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the reasons behind Orellana’s drastic response. “We are thoroughly investigating every angle of this incident to understand what exactly happened in that room and why,” said one investigator, who asked to remain unnamed due to the sensitivity of the case.
This tragedy has left the community and visitors of Myrtle Beach in shock, reflecting on the unforeseen dangers that can erupt in places designed for relaxation and vacation.
