Questions remain in investigation of mass shooting in Beaufort County, SC

In the 36 hours since the mass shooting at a bar on St. Helena Island, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has not released information about potential suspects.

At 3:08 p.m. Monday, the sheriff’s office said several members of the community came forward with information since the shooting, which occurred just before 1 a.m. at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island.

Hundreds of people were on-site at the time, the sheriff’s office said Sunday morning, and at least 20 people were injured, four were transported to local hospitals in critical condition and four died on the scene.

The deceased are Amos Ramon Gary, 54, of St. Helena, A’shan’tek Danielle Milledge, 22, of Burton, Chirrad “Roddi” Smalls, 33, of Beaufort, and Kashawn Smalls-Glaze, 22, of Beaufort.

On Sunday, the sheriff’s office said it was “investigating persons of interest.” But no new information has been released since then. Questions about potential suspects, the weapon or weapons involved and the search for said persons still remain.

Some social media posts said the Monday afternoon arrest of a St. Helena man on charges of aggravated breach of peace and unlawful machine gun possession was connected to the Willie’s incident, but the arrest was unrelated, Lt. Daniel Allen of the sheriff’s office said.

“We also appreciate your continued patience as we investigate this difficult tragedy that occurred in our community,” the sheriff’s office said in its 3:08 p.m. update.

When asked if there was an ongoing threat to the community, Allen said “this incident is over. But it’s an active and ongoing investigation.”

Details of the motive behind the shooting — and whether the shooter or shooters were targeting specific patrons at Willie’s Bar and Grill — also remained unclear as of Monday afternoon.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to reach out to Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418. Suspicious and criminal activity can be reported on the sheriff’s office’s non-emergency dispatch line at 843-524-2777 and anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County via the P3 Tips app, online at tipsbft.com or by calling 844-847-7238.

This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM.

Laura Finaldi

The Island Packet

203-885-9580

Laura Finaldi is an award-winning reporter and editor whose career has taken her everywhere from manufacturing companies in Massachusetts to dairy farms in rural Florida. Before joining the Island Packet in 2025, she was an editor at Homes.com in Richmond, Virginia and covered retail and tourism in Sarasota, Florida for five years. She has been published in the Worcester Business Journal, the Richmonder, Virginia Business, the Boston Globe and USA Today.