In the early hours of Sunday, a mass shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island, South Carolina—a locale deeply rooted in the Gullah community—left four people dead and at least 20 others injured. The incident occurred just before 1:00 a.m., during what was described by the bar’s owner as an alumni event for Battery Creek High School, with hundreds of people in attendance.

Authorities have since identified the deceased — Kashawn Glaze (22), Chiraad Smalls (33), A’Shan’tek Milledge (22), and Amos Gary (54) — and announced that investigations are ongoing, with several persons of interest being sought. No arrests have yet been made.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the shooting has deeply shaken the Gullah community, whose cultural heritage and collective memory make such a violent act especially jarring. Willie’s Bar isn’t just a business — it’s regarded as a community hub and cultural symbol in this island town, known for serving Gullah-inspired cuisine and hosting social gatherings.

As investigators work to piece together what happened, residents of the island are grappling with grief, trauma, and a sense of shaken security. Many have come forward to offer tips and support law enforcement, while local and national leaders have expressed sorrow and called for justice.