A shooting during the early morning of October 12, 2025, at Willie's Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island in South Carolina, United States, killed four people and injured at least 20 others.
St. Helena Island is the largest population center for the Gullah, an African American ethnic subgroup, on the South Carolina coast.[1] The Penn Center, which is located south of the bar on the same road, and other groups have worked to preserve Gullah culture and identity in the region and prevent gentrification.[2][3] The area of Frogmore, where the bar is located, is considered to be the commercial hub of the island.[4]
On November 15, 2022, when the bar was known as the Island Grill, another shooting at the establishment wounded two people.[5][4]
At the time of the shooting, the bar, which describes itself as serving authentic Gullah-inspired cuisine, was hosting a Battery Creek High School alumni event.[6] However, the event was not organized or sanctioned by the high school.[7]
Shooting
Just before 1am, authorities were called to Willie's Bar and Grill, located in the area of Frogmore in response to a reported shooting. Officers found a large crowd, with at least 24 people suffering from gunshot wounds. Multiple victims and patrons of the bar fled to nearby businesses and properties to escape the gunfire. The shooting reportedly began in the back of the bar.[4]
Victims
The Beaufort County EMS rushed four victims to area hospitals in critical condition while some victims transported themselves to nearby hospitals. Four victims, three men and a woman, suffered fatal injuries while at least 20 others were injured. The youngest victim was reportedly a 17-year-old girl.[4][8] The four deceased victims were identified as Kashawn Glaze, aged 22, Chiraad Smalls, aged 33, both of Beaufort, A'shan'tek Milledge, aged 22, of Burton, and Amos Gary, aged 55, a resident of St. Helena Island.[9]
Investigation
No arrests have been made, but police said they were investigating a person of interest.[10] Authorities also did not immediately identify if there were any known suspects in the shooting and if there was an ongoing manhunt. [11]
Reactions
South Carolina senator Tim Scott and South Carolina representative Nancy Mace both posted on social media condolences for the victims.[8][11]
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