Crime
St. Helena Island mass shooting victims identified
The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office has released the names of the 4 deceased individuals.
A’shan’tek Milledge (22) of Burton, Amos Gary (54) of St. Helena, Chiraad Smalls (33) of Beaufort, and Kashawn Glaze (22) of Beaufort, were all pronounced deceased at the scene.
The shooting, described as one of the deadliest in Beaufort County’s recent history, left four people dead and at least 20 others injured early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred shortly before 1:00 a.m. on October 12, 2025, at Willie’s Bar & Grill, located at 7 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on St. Helena Island.
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the gunfire erupted during a Battery Creek High School alumni celebration that had drawn a large crowd of hundreds of attendees.
Witnesses reported that the event had been peaceful and lively before multiple gunshots suddenly rang out. In the chaos, partygoers fled in all directions, with some running to nearby businesses and properties seeking shelter.
When deputies arrived, they found a large, chaotic scene with numerous victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency medical crews from Beaufort County EMS and multiple local fire departments responded, transporting critically injured victims to nearby hospitals. Several others later arrived at medical centers on their own seeking treatment.
Authorities confirmed that four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while at least four others were transported in critical condition.
Among those killed was a security guard who had been working at the venue that night.
Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office spokespersons stated that persons of interest have been identified, but did not confirm whether any arrests have been made.
Investigators continue to gather evidence, review surveillance footage, and interview witnesses.
“This is a tragic and deeply painful event for our community,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “We ask for patience as we work to uncover what led to this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims and their families.”
The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office will release additional details regarding the deceased victims once all next-of-kin notifications are completed.
Willie’s Bar & Grill owner, Turral, expressed heartbreak over the tragedy, describing the night as one that changed the community forever.
“We just have to come together and support each other right now,” Turral said. “It’s something horrible, something that shakes the whole community. My focus is on my staff and the families affected by this tragedy.”
He said it was too soon to discuss the future of the bar, as everyone remains focused on recovery and healing.
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, assisted by state and local law enforcement agencies.
The area surrounding the bar remained cordoned off through the morning hours as forensic teams processed the scene.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit information to Crime Stoppers of Beaufort County through the P3 Tips app, online at tipsbft.com, or by calling 844-TIPS-BFT (844-847-7238).
Authorities emphasize the importance of community cooperation, urging residents to report any suspicious or criminal activity to assist in bringing justice to the victims and their families.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.