At Least 4 Killed, 20 Injured in St. Helena Island Bar Shooting, Sheriff Confirms
BEAUFORT, S.C. — A community known for its deep Gullah heritage was shattered early Sunday when gunfire erupted outside Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, killing at least four people and injuring 20 others, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Chaos at a Community Gathering
Authorities said the shooting occurred just after midnight during a high school alumni event at the popular local bar. When deputies arrived, they found dozens of people wounded and fleeing into nearby businesses for shelter.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the sheriff’s office wrote on social media, asking for patience as the investigation continues.
Bar owner Willie Turral, who was inside at the time, described hearing gunfire “in bursts” from outside. “There was screaming and panic and fear,” he told reporters. “People were trying to get to safety, not knowing what was happening beyond the doors.”
Officials confirmed that several of the wounded were taken to nearby hospitals, with four victims in critical condition as of Sunday afternoon. The victims’ names have not yet been released.
Full coverage is available through ABC 11 Raleigh-Durham.
Witness Accounts and Community Shock
The gathering was part of a reunion for Battery Creek High School alumni, held roughly 10 miles from downtown Beaufort. Turral said the crowd had been “having a good time” before the shots rang out. “It was scary from the inside,” he added, describing people ducking under tables and running for exits.
Beaufort County deputies said hundreds were at the bar when the violence began, with many rushing into surrounding properties to escape gunfire. The sheriff’s office later confirmed that investigators were reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses.
Leaders and Law Enforcement Respond
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace called the incident “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN” in a post on X, extending condolences to the victims and their families.
The sheriff’s office said it is pursuing a person of interest, though no arrests have yet been made. Authorities continue to search for suspects and motive in the mass shooting, which has left one of South Carolina’s most historic cultural communities in mourning.
A Pillar of the Gullah Community
Willie’s Bar and Grill describes itself as a “community pillar” serving Gullah-inspired cuisine and supporting youth programs on St. Helena Island. The island, home to about 5,000 residents, is considered the largest Gullah community on the South Carolina coast — descendants of enslaved Africans who preserved distinct language, crafts, and traditions for generations.
The shooting has renewed calls for peace and vigilance in local gathering spaces, as investigators continue piecing together what led to the tragedy.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Residents can share their thoughts and tributes to the victims by visiting SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
