Gerson Aleman Velasquez, a 19-year-old male, was fatally shot on March 14, 2021, at the La Brasa Viva restaurant in the Socastee area near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Originally from Honduras, Aleman Velasquez had come to the United States at the age of 16 to escape violence in his home country. He worked various jobs, including washing cars and installing roofs in Louisiana and North Carolina, most recently finding roofing work around Myrtle Beach.
He diligently sent a significant portion of his earnings back to his mother in Honduras, for whom he was the sole source of income.
The night of the shooting, Aleman Velasquez was a patron at La Brasa Viva. The circumstances that led to the shooting have not been detailed by law enforcement. Following an investigation, the Horry County Police Department identified 19-year-old Josue Rivera as a suspect in the homicide. Authorities announced they were searching for Rivera and noted he was last seen in a white two-door 2002 BMW 330ci. However, as of September 2021, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting.
In the wake of Gerson Aleman Velasquez's death, his family filed a lawsuit against the La Brasa Viva restaurant in August 2021. The lawsuit alleged that the restaurant served alcohol to minors, including Aleman Velasquez, on the night of the incident, which contributed to an unruly and dangerous environment. The complaint further stated that the restaurant and the surrounding plaza had a history of criminal activity. Information regarding the outcome of the search for Josue Rivera or the resolution of the lawsuit has not been made publicly available.
