CHICAGO (WPDE) — An Easley woman spoke out about a shooting that occurred in Myrtle Beach in 2014 during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday night.
Melody McFadden joined others on stage speaking about gun violence, telling the story of her 22-year-old niece, Sandy Patrice Geddis Barnwell, who was shot and killed in Myrtle Beach on May 14, 2014.
She said her niece went to the beach for fun over Memorial Day weekend. They were at the Bermuda Sands Motel when Barnwell and two other people, Jamie Willis, 28, and Devonte Dantzler, 21, were shot.
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“Ten years of waiting, Sandy’s murder is still unsolved,” McFadden told the national audience. “I’m not giving up.”
McFadden and four others spoke about gun violence and how it has changed their lives.
Joining McFadden on stage were speakers including Georgia Rep. Lucy McBath, whose son was killed by gun violence, Kim Rubio, the mother of a Uvalde Elementary School shooting victim, Abbey Clements, a former Sandy Hook Elementary School teacher, and Edgar Vilchez, who witnessed a drive-by shooting in 2022.
ABC15 has reached out to Myrtle Beach Police to find out the status of the investigation. Myrtle Beach Police said that while they cannot say it is an ongoing investigation, they assured that they have not given up and that the Myrtle Beach Cold Case Unit is currently working on the case.
ABC15 also reached out to the City of Myrtle Beach for a response to McFadden’s speech Thursday night.
I, like millions of others, was watching it in real time so of course I was shocked but our sincere condolences go out to her family. No family should have to endure this tragedy of this loss,” said Meredith Denari, Director of Public Information for the City of Myrtle Beach. She added, “This is a 10 year old unsolved case and the part where her aunt is bringing this to life on such a big stage is just another call if anyone knows anything please speak up and please call the Myrtle Beach Police Department tip line to talk about this case. So hopefully we can get justice for Sandy and solve this case and also bring some comfort to her family.
When asked whether or not this was a bad image for the city, Denari replied, “Gun violence is unfortunately something that happens all over the country. Myrtle Beach is a very safe place for anyone to vacation with their family. We have millions of visitors every year who love to return to our beach every year.”
