ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. — Heartbreak and horror gripped the St. Helena Island community early Sunday morning following a mass shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill that left four people dead — Kashawn Glaze, 22, A’shan’tek Milledge, 22, Amos Gary, 54, and Chiraad Smalls, 33 — and at least twenty others injured. What was meant to be a joyful Battery Creek High School reunion celebration turned into a night of chaos and devastation that has shaken Beaufort County to its core.
According to authorities, the tragedy unfolded around 1 a.m., when a suspect armed with an AK-47-style rifle opened fire inside the crowded venue. The sudden eruption of gunfire sent dozens of patrons scrambling for safety as panic spread throughout the building. Witnesses described a terrifying scene — tables overturned, drinks spilled, and people trampled as they ran for their lives amid the chaos.
When the gunfire ceased, the four victims — Kashawn, A’shan’tek, Amos, and Chiraad — were pronounced dead at the scene. The twenty additional victims suffered a range of injuries, from gunshot wounds to injuries sustained while fleeing the crowded bar. Several were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and as of the latest reports, some remain in critical condition.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, along with state and federal agencies, is leading an intensive investigation into the shooting. Detectives are working to identify the shooter and determine the motive behind this senseless act of violence. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests but are urging anyone with information or footage from the scene to come forward.
Community members have expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the massacre, which marks one of the deadliest shootings in South Carolina in recent years. Candlelight vigils are already being planned to honor the victims — Kashawn Glaze, A’shan’tek Milledge, Amos Gary, and Chiraad Smalls — whose lives were tragically cut short during what was supposed to be a night of reunion and laughter.
Quadruple homicides, though devastating, are becoming far too familiar across the United States, reigniting calls for stronger gun safety measures and community-based violence prevention efforts.
As St. Helena Island mourns, friends and families of the victims are left to grapple with unimaginable loss. Their loved ones are remembered not just for how they died, but for the joy, warmth, and love they brought to everyone who knew them.
In Loving Memory of:
Kashawn Glaze (2003–2025)
A’shan’tek Milledge (2003–2025)
Amos Gary (1971–2025)
Chiraad Smalls (1992–2025)
Gone too soon, but never forgotten. Their memories will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved them and the community determined to seek justice in their names.
