Four Dead, 20 Injured as Gunfire Erupts Inside Packed South Carolina Bar

A night of music and celebration turned into horror after a mass shooting at a crowded bar in South Carolina left four people dead and at least 20 others injured, authorities confirmed on Sunday.

The deadly attack unfolded at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St Helena Island during the early hours of Sunday morning. Hundreds of people were inside when gunfire suddenly broke out, sending patrons fleeing for cover into nearby businesses, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while at least 20 others sustained injuries — four of them critically. Police and emergency responders arrived to find multiple people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Officials have not confirmed whether the attack was targeted or random, and no arrests have been made as the investigation continues.

Robert Adams, a local resident, told the Island Packet newspaper that the gunfire sounded “like a machine gun,” while a cook at the bar said he “heard a lot of shots” before chaos erupted.

Willie’s Bar and Grill, known for its Gullah-inspired cuisine, describes itself as a place that celebrates the “heartwarming spirit of the Gullah Geechee culture.” The management has yet to comment publicly on the shooting.

South Carolina lawmakers have expressed shock over the tragedy. Republican Representative Nancy Mace wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “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.”

Democratic Congressman James Clyburn also called the attack a “senseless tragedy.”

This is not the first time the venue has witnessed gun violence. In 2022, when it operated as the Island Grill, two people were wounded in another shooting. Earlier this month, two separate shootings at South Carolina State University left one person dead and another injured — highlighting a disturbing rise in gun-related violence across the state.