At least four people died and 20 others were injured early Sunday after gunfire broke out during a crowded gathering at a bar on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, law enforcement officials said.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded to a shooting around 1 a.m. at Willie’s Bar and Grill on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
When deputies arrived, they discovered a large crowd, with several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
A preliminary investigation found hundreds of people were at the bar when gunfire broke out, sending victims and witnesses scrambling for safety in nearby businesses and homes, officials said.
The sheriff’s office said Beaufort County Emergency Medical Services took several victims to nearby hospitals, while others arrived on their own to seek treatment for injuries sustained in the shooting.
In total, 20 people were injured, according to police. Four victims were transported to hospitals in critical condition, and four others were pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement officials have not yet released the names of those killed in the shooting.
The circumstances leading up to the incident, as well as any persons of interest, remain under investigation. “This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. “We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.”
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the lead investigator, Master Sergeant Duncan, at 843-255-3418. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 844-TIPS-BFT (844-847-7238) or online at tipsbft.com.