On the evening of May 21, 2021, Durance McCray, a 32-year-old man from Longs, South Carolina, was at Captain Archie's, a popular restaurant in North Myrtle Beach. After spending time inside, he walked out into the parking lot, where his life was brought to an abrupt and violent end. An employee of the restaurant, a dishwasher named Driscoll Riggins Jr., had been waiting for him. As McCray was leaving, Riggins opened fire, striking him eight times in the head and upper body.
A witness reported seeing someone firing multiple shots into McCray's BMW. Emergency services were called, and McCray was rushed to a nearby hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led North Myrtle Beach Police to identify Driscoll Riggins Jr. as the primary suspect. Evidence and witness testimony indicated that Riggins had waited for McCray to exit the restaurant before carrying out the attack. Riggins was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the killing. The case proceeded through the legal system, culminating in a trial where the events of that fatal night were presented to a jury. During the trial, which took place in May 2023, the prosecution laid out the details of the shooting. The defense argued that Riggins acted in fear for his own life. After deliberating for over six hours, the jury found Driscoll Riggins Jr. not guilty of murder, but convicted him on the lesser charge of manslaughter. He was also found guilty of felony possession of a weapon. Following the conviction, a judge sentenced Riggins to 25 years in prison for his role in Durance McCray's death.
In the aftermath of the criminal proceedings, the estate of Durance McCray filed a civil lawsuit in March 2024. The lawsuit named the owners and the manager of Captain Archie's as defendants, alleging that they were negligent in hiring Riggins. The suit claimed that the restaurant's management should have been aware of Riggins' criminal history and alleged 'violent' behavior prior to his employment. The legal filing contended that Riggins had displayed acts of violence toward other employees before the deadly encounter with McCray and that the restaurant failed to provide adequate security or properly supervise its staff. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial to hold the establishment accountable for its alleged role in the circumstances that led to the shooting.
