In the quiet hours of early Sunday morning, the serenity of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, was shattered by a mass shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill—a community pillar renowned for its Gullah-inspired cuisine and deep ties to the island’s storied heritage. The incident, which unfolded just before 1 a.m. on October 12, 2025, left four people dead and at least 20 others wounded, including four in critical condition, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (as reported by the Associated Press, BBC, and multiple other outlets).
Law enforcement officials said the bar, located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, was packed with hundreds of patrons gathered for a high school alumni event for Battery Creek High School in nearby Beaufort. The festive atmosphere was abruptly interrupted when gunfire erupted outside the establishment, sending attendees scrambling for cover and igniting a scene of chaos and panic. "Screaming and panic and fear," recalled Willie Turral, the bar’s owner, who was inside when the shots rang out. "It was scary from the inside," he told the Associated Press. "People not knowing what’s really going on outside, people trying to get to safety."
As bullets tore through the night, many rushed into neighboring businesses and homes, desperately seeking shelter. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), described the aftermath: "Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gunshots." When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a large crowd and several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services quickly transported several victims to local hospitals, while others made their own way to seek treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.
Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, and at least 20 others were injured, with four listed in critical condition at area hospitals as of Sunday afternoon. Law enforcement officials have not yet released the names of the deceased, citing the need to notify next of kin. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain unclear, and the sheriff’s office has not disclosed whether the attack was random or targeted. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities actively seeking persons of interest and urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 844-TIPS-BFT.
The shock of the violence reverberated far beyond the island. U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed her devastation on social media: "COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County. Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence." Congressman James Clyburn, a Democrat representing South Carolina, echoed the sentiment, stating he was "devastated" by the "senseless tragedy." The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the emotional toll on the community, 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."
St. Helena Island is home to one of the largest Gullah populations in the United States, with an estimated 5,000 or more residents tracing their ancestry to enslaved West Africans who worked the region’s rice plantations before emancipation. The Gullah Geechee culture, preserved through generations by separation from the mainland, is celebrated for its unique dialect, culinary traditions, and crafts such as cast-net fishing and basket weaving. Willie’s Bar and Grill, the site of Sunday’s tragedy, is more than just a restaurant to locals—it’s a cultural hub and, as it describes itself, "a community pillar committed to giving back, especially to our youth."
For many, the shooting at Willie’s is particularly painful given the bar’s role in fostering community and celebrating Gullah heritage. The establishment’s website highlights its mission to share the "heartwarming spirit of the Gullah Geechee culture," a sentiment now overshadowed by the violence that occurred within its walls. Photos from the aftermath show a man using a power washer to clean blood from the front steps, a stark reminder of the devastation left behind.
Eyewitnesses described the gunfire as intense and sudden. Robert Adams, a resident living up the street, told the Island Packet newspaper he heard automatic gunfire that "sounded like a machine gun." A cook at the bar echoed the account, saying he "heard a lot of shots" fired. The sheer volume of gunfire contributed to the confusion and terror, as hundreds of people rushed to escape the danger.
This is not the first time violence has struck the location. In 2022, when the establishment operated under the name Island Grill, a shooting left two people with non-life-threatening injuries. More broadly, the incident comes amid a troubling surge in gun violence across the region. Earlier in October 2025, two separate shootings at South Carolina State University, about 100 miles north of St. Helena Island, resulted in one death and additional injuries. The same weekend as the St. Helena shooting, Mississippi experienced a wave of shootings near schools and universities, leaving nine dead and many more injured, as reported by NBC News.
Law enforcement officials have been tight-lipped about potential suspects and the motive for the attack. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has asked the public for patience and cooperation as the investigation unfolds, reiterating their commitment to uncovering the facts. A sticker on the door of Willie’s Bar and Grill reads, "No firearms or weapons allowed in this property," a chilling irony in the wake of the mass shooting.
As the island community grapples with grief and shock, leaders and residents alike are left searching for answers. The tragedy has reignited conversations about gun violence, public safety, and the importance of community resilience. For now, the focus remains on supporting the victims, their families, and the broader St. Helena Island community as they mourn and begin the difficult process of healing.
In the days ahead, the names and stories of those lost may come to light, but the scars left by the violence at Willie’s Bar and Grill will not soon fade from the collective memory of St. Helena Island. The investigation continues, and for a community defined by its rich heritage and close-knit bonds, the path forward will require both patience and solidarity.
