In Beaufort County, grief and anger have arrived side by side. The entire community is mourning after a mass shooting on St. Helena Island on Sunday that took four lives and injured many more. At the same time, faith in the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has been rattled by the firing of an off-duty deputy who pointed a gun at multiple teenagers in Hilton Head. Now, the BCSO is under intense public scrutiny for how they communicate, respond, and rebuild trust in the aftermath of tragedy. While these two events were unrelated, the coincidental timing reveals both the fragility of public safety and the importance of trust between citizens and the entities sworn to protect them.
Mass Shooting at Willie’s Bar on St. Helena Island
In the early morning hours on Sunday, October 12th, a mass shooting occurred at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island that left four people dead, four in critical condition, and at least 20 others injured. The bar was hosting a Battery Creek High School alumni event when gunfire erupted, sending patrons fleeing and seeking refuge in nearby buildings. BCSO officials stated that many of the injured were transported to the hospital immediately, while others arrived on their own. Several victims suffered gunshot wounds, and many others had injuries caused by being caught in the chaos.
The Beaufort County Coroner’s Office released the names of the four deceased individuals on October 13th: Kashawn Glaze (22) of Beaufort, Chiraad Smalls (33) of Beaufort, Amos Gary (54) of St. Helena—who had been working the event as a security guard—and A’shan’tek Milledge (22) of Burton. Beaufort County stated on Monday that investigators have identified “persons of interest,” but as of now no arrests have been publicly announced.
The response from Beaufort County residents has been strong and largely critical. Many residents have expressed frustration over delays in public updates and are demanding that BCSO hold a press conference. Michael Covert of the podcast and radio show, Beaufort County’s House of Cards, criticized BCSO in a Facebook post, writing “We are well past the 48 hour mark, and still no Sheriff’s Dept. press conference… The national and international news outlets have covered the story, and sans a couple of Facebook posts… not a freaking peep.” Local residents chimed in in the comments, fighting for details as the suspect(s) remain at large. Officials have defended their handling of the incident, asking the public for patience as the investigation is ongoing.
BCSO is strongly encouraging anyone with information regarding this incident (including before and/or after the incident occurred) to contact Investigator Master Sergeant Duncan at 843-255-3418 or TDuncan@BCGov.net.
BCSO Deputy in Hilton Head Fired Over Off-Duty Gun Incident
On September 28th, a video surfaced showing an off-duty Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputy drawing a firearm and pointing it at a group of teenagers in the residential Squiresgate neighborhood on Hilton Head Island. After watching the shocking video, thousands of people—including residents and social media bystanders—condemned BCSO for not firing the deputy immediately. During a press conference almost a week later, Sheriff P.J. Tanner announced that the off-duty deputy, identified as William “Billy” Squires, was terminated on October 3rd for “multiple policy violations.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, violations included refusing to submit to a breathalyzer, conduct unbecoming, drawing a weapon without clear justification, failure to activate a body camera, and attempting an arrest without probable cause. Sheriff Tanner stated in a press conference that deputies are held to a 24/7 standard, both on-duty and off, and must follow their contract even when they’re not working. Aside from the termination, BCSO has filed with the SC Criminal Justice Academy to revoke Squires’ law enforcement certification, and the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is reviewing the incident to determine whether criminal charges are appropriate.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The last two weeks have shaken Beaufort County. Between an unimaginable act of violence on St. Helena and the misconduct of one of its own deputies, the community has felt both grief and disappointment in equal measure. As residents continue to grieve, question, and demand answers, one thing is clear: Restoring public faith will take more than press conferences—it will take consistent and timely transparency, communication, and action.
