Four Dead, 20 Hurt in Shooting at Crowded Bar on South Carolina's St. Helena Island

Four people were killed and at least 20 others were hurt when shots rang out at a packed bar and restaurant on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, in the early hours of Sunday, according to authorities.

The shooting began shortly before 1 a.m. at Willie's Bar and Grill. The island, in Beaufort County, is known for its historic sites, seaside scenery and family-owned shops and restaurants. Deputies from the Beaufort County sheriff's office answered "multiple reports" of shots fired and arrived to find "a large crowd of people, several of which were suffering from gunshot wounds," the office said in a statement. Witnesses told the sheriff's office that hundreds of people had gathered at the venue.

Many of those caught up in the violence sought safety nearby. "Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gunshots," the sheriff's office said, adding that several people were taken to hospitals. It also said that "more victims continued to show up at area hospitals seeking medical attention from injuries sustained at the scene."

Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and four others were hospitalized in critical condition. In all, 20 people were injured, though not every one of them was hurt by gunfire. Authorities have not released the names of the victims while they notify relatives. The sheriff's office said it has its eye on some persons of interest.

Henry Wright, a cook at the restaurant, described the chaos to The Island Packet. "I heard a lot of shots," he said. According to Wright, the gunfire came from outside the bar, prompting everyone inside to flee through the back. He said one of the dead was at the front steps, two were on the ground in front of the bar, and the fourth was near a tree on the property. He added that one of the victims appeared to be a teenage girl.

"This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone," the sheriff's office said. "We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones."

Rep. Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican, said on X that she was "completely heartbroken" by the "devastating shooting." She wrote: "Our prayers are with the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence."

The incident follows a run of recent shootings that are not connected to one another. On Saturday, two shootings in Mississippi during high school homecoming weekends, in Heidelberg and Leland, left a total of eight people dead. Less than a month earlier, a gunman on a boat opened fire as it passed the American Fish Company, a popular waterfront spot in historic Southport, North Carolina, killing three people and wounding five.