Four people were killed and nearly two dozen others injured early Sunday when a gunman opened fire inside a crowded restaurant on South Carolina’s St. Helena Island, authorities said.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were called to Willie’s Bar and Grill just before 1 a.m. following reports of gunfire during a high school reunion event.
Officials said hundreds of people were inside the restaurant when shots rang out. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and at least 20 others were taken to local hospitals with gunshot wounds or other injuries. Four of the victims remain in critical condition.
A security guard working the event was among those killed, according to investigators.
Investigation Underway, No Arrests Yet
Authorities said they are pursuing “persons of interest” but have not announced any arrests. The sheriff’s office urged witnesses to come forward as detectives continue gathering evidence.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted to Facebook. “We ask for patience as our team works around the clock to determine what happened and who is responsible.”
The names of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
Community and State Leaders React
South Carolina leaders expressed shock and grief following the shooting.
“The tragic news out of Beaufort County is heartbreaking,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) wrote on X. “I’m lifting up in prayer the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured. All of us in South Carolina will be holding those affected close in our hearts in the days ahead.”
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) also offered condolences, saying she was “completely heartbroken” and that her “prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence.”
Beaufort County Commissioner York Glover called for accountability, saying local officials need to act swiftly.
“We cannot tolerate this kind of behavior in our community,” Glover said. “This happened in the heart of our community. I am calling for this business to be shut down immediately, and for law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.”
A Historic Community in Mourning
St. Helena Island, located roughly 90 miles southwest of Charleston, is home to the largest Gullah community on the South Carolina coast — a historically African American culture whose ancestors were enslaved Africans brought to work on rice plantations in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Residents described the shooting as especially painful for a tight-knit island known for its deep cultural roots and close community bonds.
Second Carolina Shooting in Two Weeks
Sunday’s attack marks the second mass shooting to strike the Carolinas in recent weeks.
On Sept. 28, a former Marine opened fire from a boat at a waterfront restaurant in North Carolina, killing three people and wounding five others. Authorities said that incident was “highly premeditated” and “targeted.”
Moving Forward
As investigators continue to search for the gunman in the St. Helena Island shooting, law enforcement has increased patrols in the area. Officials are urging anyone with information to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office tip line.
