A night meant for music, gathering, and joy on St. Helena Island ended in unimaginable grief early Sunday morning, when gunfire erupted at Willie’s Bar and Grill and left four people dead and more than 20 others wounded. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed details of the mass shooting, calling it one of the deadliest in recent local memory.
Shortly before 1 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Willie’s Bar on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive after multiple reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they encountered chaos — hundreds of patrons, terrified and in motion, fleeing indoors and outdoors. Victims lay wounded across the establishment’s interior and exterior grounds, while others scrambled to help friends or find safety in nearby buildings. According to authorities, the attack happened in both the inside and outside areas of the bar.
Of the victims, four were pronounced dead on the scene. Among those killed was a man affectionately known to locals as “Roddy,” a St. Helena Island resident, beloved for his warmth, laughter, and open-hearted nature. His sudden loss has devastated the tight-knit Lowcountry community, which now mourns a friend lost too soon. Friends remember Roddy as “a good soul who never met a stranger” and someone whose presence brightened every room. Plans are already underway for a candlelight vigil in his honor and that of the others lost.
In addition to the four fatalities, law enforcement confirmed that at least 20 others sustained injuries, some from gunshots and others from the frantic flight to safety. Four of the injured were transported in critical condition to area hospitals. Some victims were brought in by Beaufort County EMS, while others arrived in private vehicles as news spread. Emergency crews from surrounding towns converged to aid the overwhelmed first responders.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office released a statement calling the incident “tragic and difficult for everyone involved,” assuring the public that detectives are working around the clock to uncover all facts. While a person of interest has been identified, authorities have not made arrests as of Sunday afternoon, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Officials are urging the public’s patience as the investigation unfolds.
As of Sunday afternoon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near Highway 21 remained partially closed to allow crime scene investigators to collect evidence. Officials stressed there is no known ongoing threat to the public but asked those with any information to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418 or submit anonymous tips via Beaufort County Crime Stoppers.
St. Helena Island, steeped in rich Gullah traditions and known for its close community bonds, now faces a collective wound. With disbelief, grief, and anger entwined, neighbors, friends, and strangers alike are reaching for healing and answers after what was supposed to be a night of celebration turned into unthinkable tragedy.