4 killed, 20 injured in mass shooting at bar in South Carolina, suspect on the run

Four people were killed and at least 20 others were injured in a shooting inside a crowded bar on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, early Sunday morning, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to Willie’s Bar and Grill shortly before 1 am (local time), where they discovered multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. According to Reuters, four people are in critical condition while several others are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

"This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone," the sheriff’s office said in a statement. Authorities have not released the names of those killed.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing but declined to share further details about a possible motive or suspect. Hundreds of people were three at the time of the shooting.

Reacting to the incident, US Representative Nancy Mace said she was “completely heartbroken” by the tragedy in Beaufort County.

"Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence," she wrote on X.

St. Helena Island is home to one of the largest Gullah Geechee communities on the South Carolina coast. The area’s residents are descendants of Africans who once worked on rice plantations before gaining freedom after the Civil War.

The Gullah culture, known for preserving African traditions, language, and craftsmanship, is deeply rooted in the region’s identity. Locals say the shooting has shaken the close-knit island community, where violent incidents are rare.

In past decades, mass shooting have become more common in in the United States.

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With inputs from agencies