Man Charged with Four Murders in South Carolina Bar Shooting

A tragic mass shooting at a bar on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, has resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to 15 others. Authorities have charged Anferny Freeman, 27, with four counts of murder following the incident that occurred in the early hours of October 12, 2023, during a high school reunion party.

Freeman, already incarcerated on a charge of possessing a machine gun, was served with arrest warrants on Friday, according to Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. Approximately 350 attendees were present at the 25th reunion celebration for the class of 2000 from Battery Creek High School when gunfire erupted at Willie’s Bar and Grill.

The sheriff described an encounter between Freeman and another man, who was also killed in the incident, as “not very friendly.” This confrontation led to the exchange of gunfire. Freeman suffered a gunshot wound to the stomach and was transported to a hospital for treatment. Investigators have identified evidence, including bullets, shell casings, video footage, and witness interviews, indicating that a third individual was also involved in the shooting. Sheriff Tanner anticipates additional arrests as the investigation progresses.

“I expect more charges to be made. We have not forgotten about the other 15 victims,” Tanner stated. A judge has denied bond for Freeman regarding the murder charges. Current jail and court records do not indicate whether he has legal representation.

The shooting reportedly took place just before the last call for drinks at the bar, which has been described as a community hub serving Gullah-inspired cuisine. The Gullah people, who number around 5,000 on St. Helena Island, are descendants of enslaved West Africans who worked on local rice plantations prior to their emancipation in the Civil War.

After the incident, Sheriff Tanner expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from witnesses at the party. However, he noted that investigators have since received valuable information from witnesses that has aided their case. Although the sheriff has refrained from disclosing specific details, such as who fired first or the types of weapons used, he emphasized the importance of these facts for the courtroom.

In a related development, Sheriff Tanner has stated his intention to classify Willie’s Bar as a nuisance establishment due to its history of violence. “Deputies have been called out to the business hundreds of times,” he said. “It is too dangerous to the community to keep its alcohol license. The bottom line is we are going to put you out of business.”

As the investigation continues, both the community and law enforcement are grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.