On May 28, 2024 a violent incident occurred in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, involving retired Isle of Palms Police Chief James B. Arnold and his soon-to-be ex-wife, Brana Williams, a Myrtle Beach traffic court judge. The altercation ended with Arnold taking his own life following a confrontation at Williams’ residence.
Williams reported that Arnold broke into her home on Chapel Ridge Circle near Saint James High School around 2 a.m., armed with a gun. Williams, her boyfriend Brian Shives, and her two younger sons were present during the incident. According to Shives, he confronted Arnold and managed to remove the magazine from the gun, but not before being punched multiple times and sustaining cuts to his chest.
Shives recounted, “I saw she had two younger sons that had a hold of his arms, and I see the gun so, I jumped over… jumped up and stuck my finger behind the trigger.” He added that Arnold punched him repeatedly and tried to make the gun go off by hitting Shives in the chest. Eventually, Shives bit Arnold’s finger, forcing him to let go and leave the house.
Williams, who was married to Arnold for 23 years before filing for divorce, also sustained minor injuries. The couple had adopted six children, all under the age of 20.
After fleeing the scene, Arnold was pursued by police officers. He drove to his own home on Chapel Ridge Circle, where he shot himself in the driveway. The incident has shocked the family and community, with many expressing their sympathy for the children involved.
A family member mentioned that tensions had been escalating, particularly after one of Arnold’s daughters reported feeling uncomfortable following an inappropriate comment by Shives. This may have contributed to the heightened emotions leading to the confrontation.
Neighbor Jake McPherson, who grew up playing with the couple’s children, expressed his sorrow for them, saying, “It’s unbelievable, and I feel deeply sorry for the children. They don’t deserve this situation. They already had a difficult family life, which only worsens things for them.”
