Murder Suspect Held by ICE After Deadly Shooting at Conway Bar
CONWAY, S.C. – A man accused of fatally shooting a bar employee in Horry County is now being held under an ICE detainer, authorities confirmed this week.
Deadly Shooting at Rascal’s Bar and Grill
The incident happened Friday, August 15, outside Rascal’s Bar and Grill, located about 30 minutes from Myrtle Beach. Police say 26-year-old Irving Oswaldo Gonzalez-Centeno opened fire after an argument with the bar’s staff, striking 41-year-old Lester “Lil’ Man” Goldsmith.
Goldsmith was rushed to the hospital but later died from his injuries.
Two other men, Herman Sanchez-Herrera and Marcos Gutierrez-Vazquez, were also arrested at the scene. However, both were released the following day without murder charges.
ICE Hold and Jail Status
Following his arrest, Gonzalez-Centeno was screened by the Horry County Sheriff’s Office and flagged for federal review. He is now being held in the county jail under an ICE hold, which allows federal immigration authorities additional time to assume custody once local charges are addressed.
Jail records list Gonzalez-Centeno as being from Mexico. Officials declined to confirm his immigration status but noted that he has been denied bail and remains in custody.
Bar Temporarily Closed
Rascal’s has remained closed since the shooting. In a statement on social media, management announced the bar will reopen on August 25, nearly 10 days after the tragedy.
What an ICE Hold Means
An ICE hold, formally called an “immigration detainer,” is a request by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for local law enforcement to notify federal agents before releasing an undocumented individual. The detainer typically allows local authorities to keep the person in custody for an additional 48 hours beyond their scheduled release.
ICE says such requests are standard when an individual “poses a public safety or national security threat.” Murder charges, such as those in this case, are among the most common triggers for federal intervention.
Community Impact
The shooting and subsequent arrests have rattled the Conway community. Goldsmith, known by friends and patrons as “Lil’ Man,” was remembered as a familiar face at Rascal’s, where he worked and socialized.
As Gonzalez-Centeno awaits trial, both local and federal authorities remain involved in determining the next steps in the case.
Readers in Horry County who knew Goldsmith or wish to share their thoughts on community safety are invited to join the conversation at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
