Sister of St. Helena Island shooting victim calls on community for greater justice for her family

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. (WTOC) - Weeks after the mass shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island law enforcement still has not publicly released any suspects or made any arrests.

October 12th changed many peoples lives in the St. Helena community.

With 4 people losing their lives and 16 others injured in the shooting, one victim’s sister tells WTOC what she needs her community to do so her family can have justice.

“The people who were here, the people who know what happened they need your help,” said Avis Renee Toomer, victim’s little sister. “We need your help in order to bring these people to justice.”

54- year-old Amos Gary is among one of the victims who lost his life.

His little sister, Avis Renee Toomer can’t understand why there hasn’t been justice.

“This was my brother died out here,” said Toomer. “He showed his blood out here him and three other people lost their lives out here they lost four souls were lost out here. Nobody deserves that, and for those who were responsible for it, they deserve to be brought to that we need the help of the community.”

Willie Turral, the bar owner, said his community doesn’t feel they are supported by law enforcement.

“Are you reaching out and are what are you doing to establish a way that these people who saw what they saw when justice can communicate that to you without feeling afraid for their lives,” Turral said.

When WTOC asked Turral what message he had for his community regarding their help in finding suspects he said.

“My message is more law-enforcement and I think a lot of people have spoken to the community and said speak up, speak up, but these are people of good sense and if people are not talking, there’s a reason why. I know I spoke with several folks who have talked, we have shared exactly what they’ve seen and experience with law-enforcement,” said Turral.

We asked Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office about the community’s support in this investigation .

Their comment was they want to continue to push for people with information to share that with law enforcement.