COLUMBIA, S.C. — Authorities have charged a 27-year-old man with murder following a mass shooting at a bar on St. Helena Island last month that left four people dead and 15 others injured. The incident occurred during a high school reunion party, drawing significant attention from law enforcement and the local community.
Anferny Freeman, already in custody for a separate weapons charge, faced additional charges stemming from the shooting that erupted in the early morning hours of October 12 at Willie’s Bar and Grill. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner confirmed that Freeman was served with the murder warrants while he remained jailed for allegedly possessing a machine gun.
The bar was hosting a 25th-anniversary celebration for the class of 2000 from Battery Creek High School when chaos ensued. Eyewitnesses reported that about 350 attendees were gathered when gunfire erupted, resulting from a confrontation between Freeman and another individual, who was among those killed in the incident.
Sheriff Tanner indicated that both men were involved in an altercation that escalated into a shootout, and noted that Freeman himself was wounded during the exchange. He was later transported to a medical facility for treatment of a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Investigators have gathered extensive evidence, including shell casings, surveillance videos, and witness interviews, and have identified a third person who also discharged a weapon during the incident. Sheriff Tanner expressed expectations of further arrests and additional charges as the investigation continues. “We have not forgotten about the other 15 victims,” he stated.
A judge has denied bond for Freeman on the murder charges, and court documents do not show any legal representation for him at this time. Details about the type of firearms used in the shooting and the sequence of events leading up to the outbreak of violence remain unclear.
The gunfire erupted shortly before last call at the bar, which has been described as a community establishment offering Gullah-inspired cuisine. In the aftermath of the shooting, Sheriff Tanner voiced frustration that patrons at the event were initially hesitant to speak with investigators. However, he later confirmed that law enforcement has begun receiving cooperation from witnesses.
The bar has a complex history, with the sheriff revealing that deputies had been dispatched to the venue numerous times for various disturbances. He suggested that the bar’s alcohol license could be revoked due to ongoing safety concerns. “It’s too dangerous for the community to keep operating in its current capacity,” he remarked.
The Gullah community, including many residents of St. Helena Island, brings a rich cultural heritage, tracing back to ancestors from West Africa who were enslaved in the region’s rice plantations. As the investigation unfolds, the local community continues to grapple with the tragic aftermath of the shooting and the implications for their neighborhood.