St. Helena Island, SC – What began as a joyous reunion for Battery Creek High School alumni turned into a nightmare early Sunday, October 12, when gunfire erupted at Willie’s Bar & Grill, leaving four dead and at least twenty others injured. The incident occurred just before 1:00 a.m., plunging the island community into grief and shock.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the bar was crowded with hundreds of guests when the violence began. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as people scrambled for safety, ducking behind vehicles and rushing into nearby businesses. Deputies arriving on the scene found victims scattered across the property, some critically wounded and others deceased.
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Among the slain was a security guard on duty that night, a person entrusted with protecting the crowd, who instead became one of the evening’s casualties. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin.
Sheriff’s officials confirmed that there are persons of interest, but no arrests have been made. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing survivors, and working to reconstruct the events that transformed a festive gathering into a tragic scene. The crime scene remains secured while forensic teams continue their work.
Owner Mr. Turral expressed heartbreak over the incident, noting that he had just raised a toast with staff moments before the shooting. “This night will forever change our community,” he said, adding that decisions about the bar’s future will come after the community begins to heal.
The tragedy strikes particularly hard on St. Helena, a community deeply rooted in Gullah culture, where Willie’s has served as a cultural and social hub supporting youth and local traditions. Residents now face the difficult task of mourning, seeking answers, and rebuilding a sense of safety.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan or submit tips anonymously via Crime Stoppers. The investigation is ongoing as local, state, and federal agencies work together to bring those responsible to justice.
The island mourns a devastating loss, with families and the community grappling with the trauma of a night that began in celebration and ended in heartbreak.