Mass Shooting at Saint Helena Island Bar Leaves Four Dead, Twenty Injured

Tragedy Strikes Saint Helena Island Bar

A devastating mass shooting unfolded early Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Willie's Bar and Grill on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina. The incident, which occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time, left four people dead and at least twenty others injured. Four of the injured victims were reported to be in critical condition and were transported to area hospitals.

The bar, located at 7 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the area known as 'Frogmore,' was reportedly hosting a Battery Creek High School alumni event and was packed with hundreds of patrons when gunfire erupted. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as people fled for safety, seeking shelter in nearby businesses and properties.

Investigation Underway by Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) responded to multiple reports of the shooting. Upon arrival, they encountered a large crowd and several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. The BCSO has launched an investigation into the incident, stating that they are looking into 'persons of interest,' though no arrests have been publicly announced. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased victims, pending notification of their families. The Sheriff's Office issued a statement acknowledging the gravity of the situation, saying, '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.'

Community Impact and Previous Incidents

U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, whose district includes Saint Helena Island, expressed her condolences on social media, stating she was 'COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County.' The owner of Willie's Bar and Grill, Willie Turral, recounted the terrifying moments, describing the scene as 'mayhem, a tragedy.' He also mentioned that a security officer, who was the son of his father's best friend, was among those killed.

Saint Helena Island is recognized as a significant Gullah community on the South Carolina coast, with many residents tracing their ancestry to enslaved West Africans. This incident marks the second shooting at this specific location in recent memory; in November 2022, when the establishment was known as the Island Grill, two individuals were wounded in a separate shooting.