A man accused of opening fire outside an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is now facing a never-before-used and historic charge.

Timothy James Truett, 37, has been charged with “hate intimidation” following the April 1 shooting outside Pulse Ultra Club, marking the first time the city’s ordinance has been applied since it was introduced in 2024.

While no one was injured, bullets shattered a vehicle belonging to the club owner and struck part of the building, raising alarm within the local LGBTQ+ community.

The “hate intimidation” charge is a local legal enhancement designed to penalise crimes motivated by bias against protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed the motive behind the shooting, and court documents do not specify why the charge was applied in this case, as reported by WIS News 10.

Club owner Ken Phillips said he remains uncertain whether the incident was targeted, but stressed that the attack has heightened fears about safety: “Either way, it still gives me great concern.”

South Carolina is one of only two states in the US without a comprehensive statewide hate crime law, meaning local ordinances like Myrtle Beach’s play a key role in addressing bias-related incidents.

If convicted, the hate intimidation charge carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.

Truett faces more serious penalties from additional charges tied to the shooting, such as possession of a weapon during a violent crime, discharging firearms into a dwelling, and damaging property.

Truett is currently being held in J. Reuben Long Detention Center on a $312,174 bond.

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