The first shooting erupted around 1 a.m. at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, a typically quiet coastal community in Beaufort County. According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, a large crowd had gathered at the bar when gunfire suddenly broke out, sending terrified patrons scrambling for cover. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while several others were rushed to nearby hospitals with critical injuries.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as bullets tore through the crowd. “It was just screaming and people running everywhere,” said one witness, who was too frightened to give their name. “We hit the floor, and all you could hear was gunshots.” Police said dozens of shell casings were recovered from the parking lot and surrounding area, suggesting multiple shooters may have been involved.
As investigators worked through the night to secure the scene and identify suspects, another tragedy struck just two hours later. Around 3 a.m., police in Anderson County responded to reports of gunfire at Truth Bar and Grill, located more than two hundred miles away. When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds amid scenes of chaos and panic.
Authorities confirmed that two people died at the Anderson location, while three others sustained injuries. Preliminary findings indicate that the second shooting began after an altercation inside the bar escalated into violence. Witnesses told investigators that a fight broke out between two groups, leading one individual to pull a gun and open fire before fleeing the scene.
Police have not yet confirmed whether the two shootings are connected, though early indications suggest they were unrelated. Both investigations remain active, with law enforcement agencies reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and processing forensic evidence in hopes of identifying all those responsible.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies say they are working closely with state and federal partners to track down suspects in the St. Helena Island case. “We are pursuing several leads and will not rest until we bring justice to the victims and their families,” said a department spokesperson. Authorities in Anderson echoed a similar sentiment, stressing that arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
Emergency crews and hospital staff worked through the early morning hours to treat the flood of victims from both shootings. Doctors reported that several of the wounded remain in critical condition, and the total number of injured could still rise as more details are confirmed.
The back-to-back shootings have left communities across South Carolina in shock. Local leaders and residents gathered Sunday afternoon to grieve and call for an end to the surge of gun violence that continues to plague neighborhoods across the state. “Six lives were lost in a single night,” one community advocate said. “That’s six families forever changed.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information about either shooting to contact local law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. As both investigations unfold, the people of South Carolina mourn the victims of another senseless night of bloodshed, hoping for justice — and for peace to finally return to their communities.