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Bar owner Willie Turral was inside the establishment, which was
packed for a high school alumni event, when he heard shots going
off “in bursts” outside. He described the scene: "Screaming and
panic and fear."
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on the
social platform X that many people ran to nearby businesses
seeking shelter from the gunfire.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone," the
statement 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."
Among the injured, four were in critical condition at hospitals
Sunday afternoon. The victims’ identities were not released.
Turral said the bar was hosting an event for alumni of Battery
Creek High School in Beaufort, about 10 miles (16 kilometers)
northwest of St. Helena Island. He said people were having a
good time when the shots were heard.
"It was scary from the inside,” he said, with “people not
knowing what's really going on outside, people trying to get to
safety.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace posted on X that she was “COMPLETELY
HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting."
Willie's Bar and Grill advertises itself as serving authentic
Gullah-inspired cuisine and describes itself on its website as
“not just a restaurant but a community pillar committed to
giving back, especially to our youth.”
Smaller enclaves of Gullah, referred to as Geechee in some
areas, are scattered along the Southeast coast from North
Carolina to Florida. Scholars say separation from the mainland
caused the Gullah to retain much of their African heritage,
including a unique dialect and skills such as cast-net fishing
and basket weaving.
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Associated Press writer Kathy McCormack contributed from
Concord, New Hampshire.
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