Overview

• The gunfire erupted around 1 a.m. at Willie's Bar & Grill on St. Helena Island in Beaufort County, according to officials.
• At least 20 people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, and four remain in critical condition, the sheriff's office said.
• Hundreds were gathered at the bar when the shooting began, and many victims and witnesses ran to nearby businesses and homes for safety.
• The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office described the event as tragic and urged the public to be patient as the investigation proceeds.
• Media reports cite Gun Violence Archive data noting this was the second mass shooting reported this weekend in the U.S., with at least 300 such incidents recorded in 2025.