The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina community is responding to a violent incident at a local hotel after an argument over unpaid rent escalated into a stabbing that left two people injured. Authorities have identified 68-year-old Jeffrey Keitt as the suspect in the case, and he now faces multiple criminal charges.
According to police reports, officers were dispatched to the Quail Inn & Suites on South Ocean Boulevard around 8:40 a.m. on Monday following reports of an assault. When law enforcement arrived, they learned that a dispute had broken out between Keitt and a female victim regarding overdue rent payments connected to a hotel room.
During the argument, a second victim, a man, entered the room. Authorities say the situation quickly escalated when Keitt allegedly became enraged and attacked without warning. The report states that he stabbed the male victim in both legs, causing significant injuries.
The female victim was also injured during the altercation after being stabbed in the right leg. She was later transported to a hospital, where she underwent surgery due to the severity of her injuries.
Despite the sudden violence, the male victim was able to intervene and disarm Keitt, taking the knife away and preventing further harm. The weapon used in the incident was described as a knife approximately five inches long.
Jeffrey Keitt has since been taken into custody and is being held at the Myrtle Beach jail. He has been charged with two counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, along with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
