‘That’s why I don’t go out anymore’: Sudden gunfire injures 2 at St. Helena bar after closing
A shooting at a St. Helena restaurant-bar early Sunday left two people with minor gunshot wounds, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
The “rapid fire” gunshots rang out across the parking lot of the Island Grill on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Police were already at the business because the owner had requested deputies come to help escort patrons off the property after the bar closed at 2 a.m., according to the police report.
The early morning shooting left two people with non-life-threatening gunshot injuries, according to the report. They were not identified.
Rounds appeared to have been fired from two different guns in the same area, according to eyewitness accounts from witnesses and deputies. At least 10 gunshots were heard, but no shell casings were located at the scene.
Upon investigation, one bullet hole was found on the south side of the building. The bullet went through the wall and struck a TV in the restaurant’s bar area, according to the report.
No suspects have been identified as of Tuesday morning, according to Maj. Angela Viens, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
A representative from the Island Grill could not immediately be reached for comment.
‘That’s why I don’t go out anymore’
Following the shootout, St. Helena residents who were at the bar at the time of the shooting shared their thoughts on social media.
“What’s the purpose of shooting after a party? I just wanna know,” one user asked. “I was so happy when I walked in the Island Grill. ... We were able to walk around, dance and talk, but as soon as I blink my eyes, I saw nothing but trouble and I knew I had to get the hell out of there.”
Commenters shared similar sentiments, some pointing out the dangers of St. Helena’s social scene.
“That’s why I don’t go out anymore,” one user replied.
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This story was originally published November 15, 2022 at 12:33 PM.
