On the night of October 12, 2025, a vibrant gathering at Willie's Bar and Grill on Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy. Among the lives lost was that of Ashan’tek Milledge, a 22-year-old woman from Burton. The establishment was hosting a high school alumni event for Battery Creek High School, drawing a large crowd of around 350 people.
Shortly before 1 a.m., the celebration was shattered by the sound of gunfire, leading to a mass shooting that claimed the lives of four individuals and left at least 20 others with injuries.
The Beaufort County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as Ashan’tek Milledge; Kashawn Glaze, 22; Chiraad Smalls, 33; and Amos Gary, 54, who was working as a security guard at the bar. Witnesses reported that Gary died while heroically attempting to shield others from the gunfire. The sheer number of casualties and the festive occasion that preceded the violence sent shockwaves through the close-knit community of Saint Helena Island, an area with a rich Gullah heritage.
In the wake of the shooting, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office launched an extensive investigation. Initially, authorities expressed frustration over the lack of cooperation from the numerous witnesses present at the scene. However, as the investigation progressed, tips and information from the community began to surface, aiding law enforcement in identifying persons of interest. This eventually led to a significant breakthrough in the case.
On November 14, 2025, authorities announced the arrest of 27-year-old Anferny Freeman. He was already in custody on a separate charge of possessing a machine gun when he was served with arrest warrants for the mass shooting. Freeman faces four counts of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Investigators revealed that the shooting stemmed from an unfriendly encounter between Freeman and one of the individuals who was killed. During a press conference, the sheriff stated that shell casings, video evidence, and witness interviews indicated the presence of a third shooter. The investigation remains ongoing, with the sheriff's office expecting to make more arrests and bring further charges as they continue to piece together the events of that tragic night. A judge has denied bond for Freeman.
