New details emerge about the mysterious Okatie event where three party-goers were shot
Sunday morning’s parking lot shooting of three party-goers began with a fight inside a makeshift event center in a single story commercial building in Okatie, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Maj. Angela Viens. The former fabric store turned occasional party venue is located next to the off-ramp from SC 278 west to northbound Okatie Highway/HWY 170 behind the Parker’s Kitchen and gas station.
The Saturday evening event, which ended 2 a.m. Sunday, was billed as “lady’s night” and featured two hostesses and five DJ’s according to a promotional poster circulated on social media in the weeks prior to the gathering. A witness told the Sheriff’s officers that about 200 people attended the party, but previous similar events drew larger crowds, said Maj. Viens.
Corey Wright, from Beaufort, told the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette that he was at the event when two women started fighting inside the building at 10 Barrel Landing. The police report says the fighting then continued into the parking lot where the shots were fired, leaving three people with bullet wounds. Wright said he left as soon as the fighting started and was not present for the gunfire.
Three people with either direct knowledge or a connection to the event were contacted by phone for comment but each immediately hung up once questions were asked about the shooting. Gamar Watts, told the newspapers that he leases the property from TAK2 Holdings LLC, but he would not disclose the name of his company before ending the call. Tubbs Jones, who confirmed he was a promoter for the event, and performer DJ Too Tuff each declined to provide any details Tuesday about who organized the event or answer questions about compliance with county-required alcohol and venue permitting.
Representatives of TAK2 Holdings LLC, have stated repeatedly the property owner’s LLC has no involvement with the organization or operation of these events.
Saturday night’s event was billed as a “Girls Night” according to promotional posters circulated on social media for the party. The Sheriff’s Office also provided four posters dating back to Saturday, Aug. 12, for events at the Barrel Landing Road address. Another event, planned for Aug. 25, was canceled in response to the shooting from Wright’s Facebook page labeled OTN Corey.
From the promotional posters, each of the events appears to feature hip-hop and R&B music, premium alcohol brands, luxury accessories and local DJs.
According to promotional material, there is an event scheduled for Oct. 15 but it is unknown if it will be held. One of the undated posters tout “Hip Hop vs R&B” “Every Friday” but it is unclear if that will continue.
The three people injured in the shooting were each treated at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah. One has been released. The other two remain hospitalized in stable condition, Veins said.
County officials said they are currently working to confirm if these events met any of the required code and alcohol permitting standards.
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 9:07 AM.
