NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) -- A North Myrtle Beach police officer's hands were not on his weapon before it discharged and sent a round into his leg on Sunday night -- prompting a large law enforcement presence to the area as authorities responded.

The department offered more details in a Monday Facebook post about exactly what happened as the incident occurred in the midst of a mass shooting in Little River.

The unnamed officer was unlocking a security fence at Harbourgate Marina, assisting the agency's marine unit with getting a boat into the water as support for the Horry County Police Department's response to the Little River incident.

The officer's rifle discharged twice.

"At the time, the officer had both of his hands on the gate, which was confirmed by later video evidence.

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