A mass shooting at a popular bar on St. Helena Island early Sunday left four people dead and at least 20 others wounded, shaking one of South Carolina’s most historic coastal communities, authorities said.
The shooting happened shortly after midnight at Willie’s Bar and Grill, a well-known gathering spot on the island. Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find a chaotic scene with numerous 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 posted on X.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. At least 20 more people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, including four who were listed in critical condition, officials said. The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the sheriff’s office said. “We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace expressed condolences in a social media post Sunday morning. “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County,” she wrote on X. “Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence.”
No arrests have been announced as investigators work to identify suspects and determine a motive. Authorities have not provided information on whether multiple shooters may have been involved.
St. Helena Island, located just off the South Carolina coast, is home to the largest Gullah community in the region. The island’s estimated 5,000 residents are largely descendants of enslaved Africans who worked the area’s rice plantations before emancipation during the Civil War. Its relative isolation over centuries allowed the Gullah to preserve much of their African linguistic and cultural heritage, including a unique dialect, cast-net fishing, and basket weaving traditions.
The shooting has deeply unsettled the tight-knit community, which is known more for its cultural legacy and coastal beauty than for violence.
Credit: Associated Press
