Judge Cuts Bond in Myrtle Beach Shooting Case but Imposes Strict Release Conditions
A 19-year-old charged in a 2025 Myrtle Beach shooting is seeking immunity under South Carolina’s “stand your ground” law, while also receiving a significantly reduced bond under strict conditions.
What Happened
Tequarius Barrett, 19, of Rockingham, North Carolina, faces a charge of first-degree assault and battery for allegedly firing a gun during a late-night altercation near North Ocean Boulevard on June 12, 2025. Police said multiple people were involved, and additional teens and minors were also charged. Barrett’s attorney maintains he acted in self-defense and noted that he was the only person injured in the incident.
During a March 23 court appearance, Barrett’s attorney also requested a reduction in his bond, arguing he has no prior criminal history, is not a flight risk, and poses no threat to the community. She told the court he had recently graduated high school and planned to pursue welding, and that he could live with his grandmother while awaiting trial.
Prosecutors opposed the request, citing the seriousness of the charge and the potential danger posed by firing a weapon in a crowded area. They argued that any bond reduction should include strict monitoring, such as GPS tracking.
The judge ultimately reduced Barrett’s bond from $200,000 to $20,000 cash or surety but imposed several conditions. Barrett must wear a GPS ankle monitor, follow a nightly curfew under home detention from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., live at his grandmother’s home, and is prohibited from possessing firearms.
A hearing to determine whether Barrett qualifies for immunity under the state’s Protection of Persons and Property Act is scheduled for April 17. If the court finds his actions justified as self-defense, the case could be dismissed.
Commentary – Bail Isn’t Free
Barrett’s case highlights how important it is to be able to make bail and how it works. Bail is essentially a financial guarantee that you’ll return to court after being charged with a crime. Instead of staying in jail while your case moves forward, you can be released if you provide money or collateral that the court can keep if you don’t show up.
After an arrest, a judge sets a bail amount based on factors, typically including the seriousness of the charges, criminal history, perceived flight risk, and potential danger to the community. In some cases, you might get your money back.
The table below summarizes the types of bail a judge may allow, how they work, and the likelihood of getting your money back.
In summary:
- Only cash bail and property bonds are refundable (assuming you follow all court requirements).
- Bail bondsman fees are always lost, which is why they’re often used when someone can’t afford full cash bail.
In Barrett’s case, it wasn’t made clear if and how he posted bail. As a practical matter, however, we anticipate that not many 19-year-old’s have $20,000 in cash to post or pay a bail bondsman to avoid a lengthy stay in jail awaiting trial. If he doesn’t have the cash, then he would have to go hat-in-hand to family and friends and scrape up the funds – not exactly a reliable method.
This is not a theoretical issue. Even when you’re the good guy, you can suffer a lengthy incarceration. Earlier this year, a San Francisco jury acquitted Irie Benson of criminal charges, after prosecutors held him in jail for 15 months even though evidence and witnesses said he acted in self-defense.
Back to North Carolina. Even if he makes bail, Barrett’s legal journey isn’t over with. His April 17 hearing will determine if he qualifies for immunity under North Carolina’s stand-your-ground self-defense law. He will require legal counsel with criminal law expertise to ensure a competent defense.
READ MORE: Good Guy With Gun Gets Charged, Spends 15 Months in Jail Before Acquittal
We Got Your Back – CCW Insurance That Works for YOU
Qualified legal counsel and posting bail costs money. Even if you have the cash – why not use our money instead of yours?
Second Call Defense provides immediate cash up front for defense attorneys and bail with nothing to repay, ever.
If you carry for protection — whether concealed carry, home defense, or another reason — understanding what happens after an incident matters as much as knowing how to respond during one. Without robust legal backing:
- You may face years of legal battleswithout support.
- Your financial resources — savings, future wages, home equity, retirement — could be at risk.
- Your future could be judged not just in court, but in public opinion.
Second Call Defense eliminates those worries by ensuring 24/7 access to legal counsel, immediate financial resources, and peace of mind knowing you’re defended by professionals who actually stand by you with unlimited legal defense for both criminal charges and civil cases.
READ MORE: The Kayla Giles Case – “We Got Your Back” Isn’t Just a Slogan, It’s a Lifeline
Know You’re Truly Protected
At a time when exercising your rights could subject you to intense legal scrutiny, don’t settle for inadequate policies that leave you exposed. Choose a defense partner that:
- Pays your bail bond immediately up front with no reimbursement.
- Doesn’t cap your legal defense.
- Covers BOTH criminal and civil cases.
- Pays attorneys directly — no reimbursement waits.
- Has never lost a self-defense case for a member.
- Promises you don’t pay it back.
That’s the true meaning of “We Got Your Back” — and why responsible citizens across the country trust Second Call Defense.
Don’t leave your legal protection to chance. Explore Second Call Defense membership today and secure peace of mind before you ever need it. With Second Call Defense you have UNLIMITED resources for both criminal and civil cases and much more.