Navy Sailor Arrested in Illinois in Connection with South Carolina Memorial Day Mass Shooting

A Shocking Turn of Events in a Holiday Weekend Tragedy

A U.S. Navy sailor has been taken into custody in Illinois in connection with a mass shooting that left at least ten people wounded during Memorial Day weekend in South Carolina. The arrest brings a significant development to a case that rattled the Little River community and sent shockwaves across the country.

Chaos Unfolds on the Water in Little River

The violence erupted in Little River, a scenic coastal town near the South Carolina–North Carolina border. As Memorial Day celebrations were in full swing, a group of people had just stepped off a private charter boat when gunfire suddenly broke out. According to witnesses and cellphone footage captured at the scene, panic quickly took over as bullets flew and people scrambled for safety on the dock.

One of the victims, Jeremy Evans, shared his harrowing experience. “We got shot coming off the boat,” he recalled. Evans was struck in the leg and had to improvise a tourniquet using his shorts. “When I got hit, I took my shorts off and wrapped it around my wound. Ten of us got sprayed on this deck.”

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an altercation that occurred shortly after the boat docked. Witnesses described the shooter as opening fire while moving backward across the dock, creating a scene of chaos and confusion.

Arrest Made at Naval Station Great Lakes

The suspect, 19-year-old Shawon Shamarion Williams, was arrested Thursday afternoon in Lake County, Illinois. Williams, a seaman assigned as a hull maintenance technician at Naval Station Great Lakes, was taken into custody by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). He was booked into the Lake County Jail, where he now faces charges as a fugitive of justice.

NCIS officials confirmed that Williams was transferred to the custody of local law enforcement following his arrest. He is expected to be extradited to South Carolina, where he faces multiple charges, including several counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Victims and Community Demand Justice

Following news of the arrest, victims and community members expressed a strong desire for accountability. Jeremy Evans, who continues to recover from his injuries, called for justice on social media, sharing both his trauma and his hope that the case will lead to meaningful consequences.

Police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may be made. Authorities are piecing together the events that led to the gunfire, including the origin of the dispute and whether others were involved in orchestrating or escalating the violence.

What Happens Next

Williams is scheduled to appear in court on Friday morning, where the extradition process to South Carolina will officially begin. Legal proceedings are expected to move forward in the coming weeks, as investigators continue to gather evidence and identify any additional suspects.

The tragic incident has cast a shadow over what should have been a peaceful holiday celebration. As the community continues to heal and seek answers, law enforcement remains committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.

The arrest of a young Navy sailor in connection with a public shooting has added a new layer of complexity to a story that already highlights the intersection of violence, accountability, and service. The nation will be closely following this case—not just for justice, but to understand how such a tragic event unfolded and how future incidents might be prevented.