By Harshit | October 13, 2025 | St. Helena Island, South Carolina
Gunfire Erupts During Alumni Celebration
A mass shooting early Sunday shattered the peace of St. Helena Island, South Carolina — one of the nation’s most historic Gullah communities — leaving four people dead and at least 20 injured, according to local officials.
Authorities said the gunfire broke out shortly after midnight at Willie’s Bar and Grill, a popular local restaurant known for its Gullah-inspired cuisine and community outreach. Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office arrived to find chaos — dozens of people fleeing and multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds both inside and outside the establishment.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on X. “We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”
Bar Owner Describes Scene of Chaos and Panic
Bar owner Willie Turral said he was inside the packed establishment when the first rounds erupted outside. The event was a Battery Creek High School alumni gathering, drawing dozens of attendees from nearby Beaufort, roughly ten miles northwest of the island.
“I just heard shots going off — in bursts,” Turral recalled. “Then it was screaming, panic, and fear. People were trying to hide, trying to get to safety, not knowing what was going on outside.”
He described the scene as “complete confusion” as patrons rushed toward exits or ducked behind tables. The sheriff’s office confirmed that many people ran to nearby businesses for shelter as deputies and paramedics flooded the scene.
Community in Mourning
By Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed four fatalities and at least 20 injured, with four victims listed in critical condition at area hospitals. None of the victims had been publicly identified as of press time.
Local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), are assisting with the investigation. No arrests had been announced, and officials have not yet determined a motive.
U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) called the shooting “devastating” in a post on X, writing: “I’m completely heartbroken to learn about the horrific shooting on St. Helena Island. My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community.”
Cultural Heart of the Gullah-Geechee Community
The tragedy struck the heart of the Gullah-Geechee Nation, a culturally rich and historically significant African American community that traces its roots to enslaved West Africans brought to the region centuries ago.
St. Helena Island is home to roughly 5,000 Gullah residents, many of whom are descendants of freed men and women who worked on rice and cotton plantations before the Civil War. The island is renowned for preserving African traditions through language, crafts, and cuisine, making it one of the most intact Gullah communities along the U.S. Southeast coast.
Willie’s Bar and Grill — where the shooting took place — has long been viewed as a pillar of the community, hosting charity events and youth programs. Its website describes it as “not just a restaurant but a community pillar committed to giving back, especially to our youth.”
Witness Accounts and Early Investigation
Witnesses told investigators the gunfire appeared to come from outside the venue, though multiple weapons may have been used. Authorities said they are reviewing surveillance footage and cellphone videos from the scene and interviewing dozens of witnesses.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies have urged residents with any information to come forward, adding that cooperation will be essential to solving the case.
Local leaders described the violence as unprecedented for the small, tight-knit island. “This community has endured centuries of struggle and triumph,” said local historian and Gullah advocate Delores Green. “For something like this to happen here, it’s heartbreaking. We are a family here, and this loss cuts deep.”
Preserving the Island’s Legacy Amid Tragedy
Smaller enclaves of Gullah people — sometimes called “Geechee” in Georgia and Florida — are scattered along the southeastern coast, but St. Helena remains their cultural epicenter. Historians credit the community’s geographic isolation for preserving distinct African traditions such as cast-net fishing, spiritual hymns, and basket weaving.
Now, as authorities search for answers, community elders are emphasizing unity and resilience. “Our ancestors endured worse and still found strength,” Green said. “We’ll do the same.”
Sheriff’s officials are expected to release additional updates Monday as investigators process the scene and identify the victims.
