| ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. The air here on the island feels heavy, almost a week after the unthinkable happened right in our backyard. Early last Sunday morning, October 12, 2025, our beloved Willie’s Bar and Grill—a place where we celebrate and gather—turned into a nightmare. Four members of our community are gone, and sixteen others are hurting after a mass shooting shattered a high school alumni reunion. We know their names: Kashawn Glaze (22), Chiraad Smalls (33), A’shan’tek Milledge (22), and Amos Gary (54). The police say it was a private fight that spilled over, but no matter the cause, our community paid the highest price. The Silence that Hurts We hear the Sheriff’s frustration, and it’s hitting close to home. Sheriff P.J. Tanner told the county he can’t believe that out of the estimated 700 people at Willie’s that night, not one has stepped up to name the shooters. “We had 700 people at this party. And we have yet to get a witness that can tell us who the shooters are. It’s ridiculous,” he said. It’s hard to hear, but we know the silence is born from fear. The FBI and SLED are here, helping the Sheriff’s Office piece together the case with video, ballistics, and DNA because, without witnesses, that’s all they have. Justice for these four is moving too slow, and it’s because we’re protecting ourselves instead of protecting our village. We Are Gullah. We Must Speak. This tragedy has shaken the very foundation of St. Helena, the beating heart of the Gullah community. Willie’s isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a pillar. Now, our elders, our friends, and our neighbors are mourning and asking: How do we stop this from happening again? The chaos was absolute, with people running everywhere for safety. If you were there, if you have a video, a picture, anything please, don’t let fear win. The police are begging for anonymous help through Crimestoppers or the FBI’s dedicated portal. We have to break the silence for Kashawn, Chiraad, A’shan’tek, and Amos. Our Gullah heritage demands community let’s act like one. You can find articles and updates on this story from numerous news organizations and official channels, including: Associated Press (AP) / National News: AP News, CBS News, The Guardian, Global News. Local News: WLTX, South Carolina Public Radio, WKYC. Official Agency Request: The FBI opened a portal specifically “Seeking information” related to the mass shooting that occurred at Willie’s Bar & Grill on St. Helena Island on 10/12/2025. |
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