ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C.— A late-night gathering at a popular coastal bar turned into a scene of unimaginable horror early Sunday morning when a mass shooting left four people dead and wounded at least 20 others on the idyllic Gullah community of St. Helena Island.
The tragedy unfolded shortly before 1 a.m. at Willie’s Bar and Grill, a local establishment that, according to the owner, was packed with a large crowd, including alumni from a nearby high school. The festive atmosphere was violently shattered by bursts of gunfire that sent hundreds of people scrambling for their lives.
“Screaming and panic and fear,” was how bar owner Willie Turral described the chaos inside as the shots rang out just outside the building.
A Scene of Widespread Carnage
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies arriving on the scene were met with a large, frantic crowd and multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gun shots,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. At least 20 others were injured in the attack, with officials reporting that four of the wounded are in critical condition at area hospitals. The victims’ identities have not yet been released as authorities work to notify their families.
The scale of the violence quickly overwhelmed the quiet coastal community. Law enforcement has initiated a massive investigation but has yet to identify a suspect or determine a motive for the shooting. The incident instantly qualifies as a mass shooting, defined as an event where four or more people are shot, excluding the perpetrator.
A Community Shaken
St. Helena Island, known as the epicenter of the Gullah Geechee culture—a distinct community of descendants of enslaved Africans—is generally a place untouched by such widespread, random violence. The bar itself is described on its website as a “community pillar” committed to giving back, hosting events like an art expo just weeks prior.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the Sheriff’s Office stated, asking for patience from the public.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, whose district includes the island, posted on social media that she was “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN” by the devastation, offering prayers for those impacted by the “horrific act of violence.”
As the investigation continues, a shocked nation once again absorbs the details of yet another mass casualty event. The island community, accustomed to the tranquility of its historic setting, now grapples with the sudden intrusion of fear and unimaginable loss. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward as they attempt to bring the perpetrator of this horrific act to justice.