4 dead as Sunday gun violence roils Gullah island

MORNING HEADLINES | An alumni event for Battery Creek High School at a popular St. Helena Island bar in Beaufort County turned deadly early Sunday as four died in a mass shooting that left 20 injured, four of whom are in critical condition.

Beaufort County sheriff’s deputies are asking for patience as they move forward with the investigation into the shooting that killed four and injured four others.

“Too many among us have been touched by the scourge of gun violence,” said U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C. “It is striking communities everywhere. We must come together to end this epidemic.”

The shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill just down the road from the historic Penn Center began Saturday night as an alumni tailgating party. Shortly before 1 a.m., gunshots rang outside of the event’s security barrier, according to a report. People scrambled, seeking shelter from nearby businesses.

“You know, you really can’t put into words what happened last night in terms of the magnitude of hurt that this community has,” bar owner Willie Turral told WCSC TV. “People lost loved ones that there’s no replacing them, but I think just if we can do anything, we just want to show that we’re here with the community and that we’re mourning with them.” A vigil was held at the bar Sunday night.

Gun violence also roiled other communities in South Carolina over the weekend:

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