COLUMBIA, S.C. — A sheriff has reported that his deputies are diligently investigating a mass shooting that occurred at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island over the weekend, resulting in four fatalities and 16 injuries. Despite a crowd of around 700 people attending a reunion party at the bar, no witnesses have yet come forward with information regarding the identities of the shooters.
Sheriff P.J. Tanner shared this update on Wednesday, noting that his team is analyzing weapons and bullets, enhancing video footage from the scene, and conducting DNA tests. The investigation reportedly began as a dispute among a small group of individuals familiar to each other.
“We had 700 people at this party, yet we haven’t received a single witness statement that could identify the shooters. It’s incredibly frustrating,” Tanner commented.
The sheriff suspects that many attendees wish to help but may be afraid of potential repercussions. He encouraged those with information to report it anonymously through Crimestoppers.
The shooting happened just before the last call at the bar, with a significant number of people present both inside and outside. Tanner described the scene as horrific, asserting that such a large crowd significantly heightens the risk of injuries and fatalities in a gunfire incident.
As of now, investigators are focused on collecting evidence in a careful manner to ensure that any charges pressed against suspects are strong. Tanner expressed his commitment to securing justice for the victims’ families, stating, “I will not victimize these families a second time.”
Among the deceased are Kashawn Glaze, 22; Chiraad Smalls, 33; Amos Gary, 54; and A’shan’tek Milledge, 22. The bar is known for offering Gullah-inspired cuisine and prides itself on being a community-oriented establishment.
St. Helena Island is home to approximately 5,000 individuals of Gullah heritage, whose ancestors were enslaved West Africans brought to the region for agricultural labor.
