Four people have been killed and at least 16 injured in a mass shooting in South Carolina.
Hundreds of school alumni were at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St Helena Island when gunshots were suddenly heard.
‘Screaming and panic and fear’ bar owner Willie Turral said, describing the shooting.
He was inside when he heard shots fired outside the bar. ‘These things went off in bursts.’
Mr Turral said the bar was packed for an event for alumni of Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, about 10 miles northwest of St Helena Island. He said people were having a good time when the shots were heard.
‘It was scary from the inside,’ he said, with ‘people not knowing what’s really going on outside, people trying to get to safety’.
Emergency services arrived to people wounded at the bar, while other victims and witnesses had rushed into nearby buildings and businesses.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement: ‘Multiple victims and witnesses ran to the nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter from the gun shots.
‘The circumstances of this incident are still under investigation. At this time, we know that at least 20 people were injured. 4 were transported to area hospitals in critical conditions and 4 victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.
‘Names of victims will not be released at this time. The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office may release additional information regarding the deceased victims pending notification of their next of kin.
‘This is a tragic and difficult incident for everyone. We ask for your patience as we continue to investigate this incident. Our thoughts are with all of the victims and their loved ones.’
According to local reports, the shooting occurred as the bar was full of classmates enjoying a renunion.
Family members of people in the bar at the time said they were ‘shaken up’ by the trauma.
A concerned mother wrote: ‘My daughter was out there she is shaken up.’
Another said: ‘I had a customer come in my job just now. He said he’s seen everything he’s shaken up pretty bad.’
‘Couple of my classmates got shot can’t have a good time no more without someone shooting the place up’, another person said.
A woman whose family members were tragically caught in the gunfire said: ‘I lost 2 little cousins tonight…cant even go out anywhere anymore.’
Among the 20 injured, four remain in a critical condition in hospital.
Other victims presented themselves to local hospitals with injuries.
Authorities have yet to disclose the identities of those who have died.
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