Beaufort County School District releases statement following mass shooting at St. Helena bar

BEAUFORT COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - The Beaufort County School District released a clarifying statement after reports that a mass shooting at a St. Helena bar was a Battery Creek High School alumni event.

The school district said this event was not sanctioned by school administrators or the school district.

It has been reported by numerous media outlets that the event in which the mass shooting occurred on St. Helena this weekend was a Battery Creek High School alumni event. To be clear, this event was not sanctioned nor organized by Battery Creek High School administration or the Beaufort County School District.

Beaufort County School District

People we spoke to at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island Sunday, said the shooting occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. where they said there was a party for alumni of Battery Creek High School.

What we know about the mass shooting so far

Four people are dead and at least 20 others are injured following this shooting.

The incident prompted reaction from South Carolina leaders on social media.

COMPLETELY HEARTBROKEN to learn about the devastating shooting in Beaufort County.

Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence.

If you have any information, please contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office at…

— Rep. Nancy Mace (@RepNancyMace) October 12, 2025

The tragic news out of Beaufort County is heartbreaking. I’m lifting up in prayer the families who lost loved ones and those who were injured. All of us in South Carolina will be holding those affected close in our hearts in the days ahead.

— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) October 12, 2025

WTOC visited the scene to talk with law enforcement, the bar’s owner and community members.

“But when something like this happens, I mean in your heart or arms, at least in mine, you know I never really expected to ever see anything like this. You know I hope it was to come out here to put on events and people could come and join themselves and go safely on them. So anytime that you depart from that, it’s hard to believe that something like that took place,” said the owner of Willie’s Bar and Grill, Willie Turral.

Stick with us as we continue to bring you the latest.

SEE: 4 dead, at least 20 injured in mass shooting on St. Helena Island