Mass shooting erupts at crowded family-friendly restaurant in South Carolina as four are killed and 20 injured
A mass shooting at a crowded family-friendly restaurant in South Carolina left four people dead and at least 20 customers injured, according to police.
The scare began around 1 a.m. Sunday in St. Petersburg, about two hours from Charleston. It happened at Willie’s Bar and Grill on Helena Island.
Deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office were called to the scene after multiple gunshots were heard.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found a large crowd and several people with gunshot wounds, the ministry said.
Hundreds of people gathered at the establishment known as ‘the center of warmth and friendship at the heart of our beloved community’. restaurant website.
Police said many victims and witnesses took shelter in nearby properties and businesses to save their lives.
A total of four victims were transported to the local hospital by Beaufort County EMS in critical condition. 4 unidentified people died at the scene.
According to authorities, at least two dozen people were injured in the shooting and were taken to the hospital on their own.
South Carolina’s St. A deadly mass shooting took place at Willie’s Bar and Grill on Helena Island around 1 a.m. Sunday (Image: Undated photo of the restaurant’s interior)
Police are seen outside the restaurant following a fatal shooting Sunday morning
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said they are currently investigating ‘persons of interest’ and are asking the public to come forward with any information.
“This is a tragic and difficult event for everyone,” the ministry said.
‘We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all the victims and their loved ones.’
The Daily Mail contacted the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and Willie’s Bar and Grill for comment.
St. Helena Island is known for its ‘rural character’, offering recreational activities such as shrimping and fishing, as well as agriculture. Visit Beaufort.
The sea island is known for its family-run restaurants serving local produce and fresh seafood.
It is also known to be an important center for the Gullah and Geechee culture, created by the descendants of Central and West Africans enslaved in the Sea Islands.
The community has preserved the Creole language, folk customs and food traditions.
According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, Willie’s Bar and Grill appears to be very committed to the community’s traditions, as it hosted the Gullah Art Fair just weeks ago.
The restaurant is known as a ‘center of warmth and friendship at the heart of our beloved community’
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said they are currently investigating ‘persons of interest’ and are asking the public to come forward with any information.
The shooting came just weeks after a man opened fire at a packed harborside restaurant in Southport, North Carolina.
Nigel Edge, 39, who is accused of the attack, was taken into custody after he allegedly opened fire at the American Fish Company restaurant, a popular tourist spot, on September 27.
Several gunshots rang out in what authorities called a ‘premeditated attack’ before Edge allegedly fled the scene on the Intracoastal Waterway toward Oak Island (about 40 minutes outside Wilmington).
In the terrible incident, 3 people died and 6 people were injured.
It was stated that Edge, whom the police described as a ‘lone wolf’ in the incident, was armed with an assault rifle. Other firearms were also found in his vehicle.
