At least seven arrested after large holiday brawl on Folly Beach

Folly Beach public safety officers arrested at least seven people in connection with a large Fourth of July brawl that broke out on the beach at 10th Street East.

Public Safety Chief Dennis Brown said between 3,000 and 4,000 people had crowded into a 75-foot-by-30-foot area when the brawl occurred. He described the scene as a riot.

Brown said he did not know what sparked the confrontation, but four public safety officers and a Charleston County sheriff’s deputy were injured in the incident.

Officers arrested between seven and nine people on charges that included disorderly conduct, inciting a riot and violations of local of ordinances, Brown said.

Fifteen officers in all rushed in to contain the melee, which broke out around 2:30 p.m.

Brown said the crowd consisted of people in their 20s who arrived in tour buses and brought a DJ with them.

They left behind more than 100 bags worth of trash that officers and island residents were left to clean up Wednesday evening, Brown said.