Teen accused of murdering homeless man in Myrtle Beach also homeless. Here’s what we know
An 18-year-old who is accused of killing a homeless man in Myrtle Beach is also homeless himself.
Myrtle Beach Police have charged Everett Ellis, of Wilson, North Carolina, with murder.
Ellis is accused of killing Robert Khattar, 43, Feb. 13 while Khattar was sleeping near a business in Plaza Place, according to the Horry County Coroner’s Office.
Khattar, who was from Michigan but had been living in Myrtle Beach, was discovered about 7 a.m. on Feb. 14.
“Our whole family is so shocked,” said Bethanie Ellis, Ellis’ older sister. “He’s never been like this.”
Ellis said she is trying to find out what happened, but police haven’t given the family much information.
Kate Curran, owner of Fresh Brewed Coffee House, which often serves the city’s at-risk population, knew both of the men.
Ellis was known to be a part of the homeless community, Curran said. He had been banned from the coffee shop and not allowed back in after refusing to follow rules at the shop, Curran said Thursday. And while she knew Khattar, he didn’t come in often.
“Most people (here) are trying to do something different,” said Curran, adding that the people at the coffee shop are trying to get help.
Derek Goodman, who was at the coffee shop Thursday, said he was removed by Myrtle Beach Police from his camping site on the day of the murder. Goodman, 52, said the camp was located near where Khattar was killed.
It is unclear if Ellis or Khattar were part of that camp.
It also is unclear what led to Khattar’s death.
What happened that day
The incident happened about 10 p.m., but Khattar’s body wasn’t found until the morning of Feb. 14 near the Sherwin-Williams store in the Plaza Place area, according to police and coroner’s office.
Khattar received multiple blunt force and chopping injuries to his face.
According to Ellis’s arrest warrants, police discovered a video showing Ellis filming himself with Khattar who “appeared to be covered in blood but responsive,” a WMBF story said. Ellis was also allegedly carrying a large object that was found at the scene with blood on it.
Ellis remains in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center without bond.
What is known about victim and suspect
Other than him formerly living in Michigan, not much is known about Khattar.
Phone numbers for family could not be located.
Bethanie Ellis doesn’t know if her brother knew Khattar.
Bethanie Ellis said her brother was born in Wilson, North Carolina, and had been staying with his mother before ending up in Myrtle Beach. He had walked to Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, and then eventually came to Myrtle Beach.
Wilson, North Carolina, is about 3 1/2 hours from Myrtle Beach.
He was living on the streets because “he didn’t have anywhere to stay,” Bethanie Ellis said. He had been in the city for about two months, she said.
Ellis would go to Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach to call her and his mother, Bethanie Ellis said.
“We asked if he wanted us to come pick him up,” but Bethanie Ellis said he declined the offer.
Bethanie Ellis believes her brother, who had dropped out of high school, may have been affected because he was living on the street and wasn’t able to get help. Ellis wasn’t able to stay in the shelter because it was too crowded, she said.
In addition, she said the children, which also includes a younger brother, have had a hard life.
Ellis doesn’t have a criminal history in Wilson, according to Sgt. Eric McInerny, public information officer with the Wilson Police Department. However, since he is 18, any prior offenses would likely be sealed since Ellis would have been under the age of 18 and considered a juvenile.
He did have some interviews with officers as late as December 2023, McInerny said.
