At least four people were killed and 20 others were injured early Sunday after a mass shooting erupted at a bar on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. at Willie’s Bar and Grill, located at 7 Dr. Martin Luther Drive, about an hour north of Savannah, Georgia.
When deputies arrived, they found a large crowd gathered outside the bar, with multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
According to the sheriff’s office, hundreds of people were at the bar when gunfire broke out. “Multiple victims and witnesses ran to nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gunshots,” the department said in a statement.
Of the 20 victims transported to hospitals, four remain in critical condition. Some were taken by ambulance, while others arrived at emergency rooms on their own, authorities reported.
No arrests have yet been made, though investigators are questioning a person of interest. The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of their families.
“This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone,” the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said. “We ask for patience as we continue to investigate this case.”
U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who represents Beaufort County, expressed her sorrow in a social media post, saying she was “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN” over the shooting.
“Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence,” Mace wrote, urging anyone with information to contact local authorities immediately.