A mass shooting at a crowded bar in the southern US state of South Carolina has left four people dead and at least 20 injured, officials have confirmed.
Hundreds of patrons were gathered at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St Helena Island in the early hours of Sunday morning when the gunfire erupted, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s office.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene. Of the injured, at least four victims were transported to local hospitals in critical condition. Witnesses and victims reportedly fled the popular venue, seeking shelter in nearby businesses.
The Sheriff’s office stated that when police and first responders arrived, they found multiple individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the shooting, including whether the attack was random or targeted, but have yet to identify or confirm any suspects.
The location, Willie’s Bar and Grill, is known for serving Gullah-inspired cuisine and promotes itself as aiming to spread the “heartwarming spirit” of the Gullah Geechee culture. This community consists of descendants of Africans who were enslaved on plantations along the south-eastern US coast.
South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace expressed her condolences on social media, writing that she was “COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN” and that her prayers were with the victims and their families.
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