BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — A mass shooting at a crowded bar on an idyllic South Carolina island has left four people dead and at least 20 injured, officials said.
The shooting occurred early Sunday at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, where a significant gathering was taking place for Battery Creek High School alumni. When sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered numerous individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
“Multiple victims and witnesses ran to nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gun shots,” the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office stated on social media. They expressed condolences, stating, “This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, and at least 20 others sustained injuries, with four in critical condition at local hospitals.
Reports indicate attendees were enjoying a planned alumni tailgate event when the shooting erupted. The bar is owned by Willie Turral Food Services, but attempts to reach Turral for comments were unsuccessful.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released. Local officials, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, voiced their heartbreak over the incident, offering prayers for the victims and their families.
St. Helena Island is notable for being the largest Gullah community along the South Carolina coast, with a rich cultural heritage that traces back to the descendants of slaves who worked in the area’s rice plantations before gaining freedom.
