The quiet community of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, has been left shattered after a mass shooting early Sunday morning at Willie’s Bar and Grill claimed the lives of four people, including Amos Gary, a beloved local man remembered for his warm heart and easygoing spirit.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called shortly before 1 a.m. to multiple reports of gunfire at the popular gathering spot located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. When authorities arrived, they encountered a chaotic scene — hundreds of people fleeing for safety, several victims lying wounded, and the devastating aftermath of senseless violence.
Officials confirmed that nearly two dozen people were injured, with at least 20 individuals hurt and four killed, including Gary. Several victims were rushed to area hospitals by Beaufort County EMS, while others sought help on their own.
The sheriff’s office has launched an active investigation into the shooting and is urging anyone with information to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418.
Amos Gary, who was from St. Helena Island, lived in Burton, South Carolina, and attended Beaufort High School, is being remembered as a kind, dependable man who always showed love for his family and friends.
Heartfelt tributes have poured in across social media as loved ones struggle to process the loss.
His niece Betrice Scott shared a gut-wrenching message, writing:
“Amos Gary, Uncle Jr., please call me and tell me you okay and tell me you love me one more time. Come see me like you always do. First my mama leave me, now you, man… I can’t. This just hurts for real.”
Roneisha Lashay Simpson, a close friend, expressed disbelief and heartbreak:
“My boy gone! And that’s crazy. Today wasn’t supposed to be a bad news kind of day. To hear about mass shootings on the news is one thing — to lose someone to one is unreal. Me, Ma, and The Girls will miss you.”
Another post from Betrice echoed the pain felt by so many:
“My heart is hurting, Uncle Jr. I love you, unc, you know that. Amos Gary, you didn’t deserve this.”
Residents of St. Helena Island have described the tragedy as one of the darkest days in recent memory. What began as a night of gathering and celebration turned into a nightmare that left families shattered and a community grieving.
Authorities say hundreds of people were present when gunfire erupted. Many ran toward nearby businesses and homes to take cover, while others desperately tried to help those who were injured.
As of Sunday morning, several victims remain hospitalized, some in critical condition.
Law enforcement officials have vowed to bring those responsible to justice. The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate, and officers are reviewing witness statements and surveillance footage to identify suspects.
“This tragedy has left lasting pain across our community,” a sheriff’s spokesperson said. “We are asking for anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.”
Those who knew Amos Gary remember him as a man who could light up a room with his presence — someone who deeply loved his family, always checked in on friends, and carried himself with humility and kindness.
His loss leaves a void that words can hardly fill. As tributes continue to flow, one thing is clear: Amos will be remembered not for how he died, but for how he lived — with love, laughter, and loyalty.