Six Honduran Nationals Charged in Fatal Shooting of South Carolina Mother

Six Honduran nationals, all in the United States illegally, have been charged in connection with the murder of a South Carolina mother in what authorities describe as a random and violent attempted robbery. The suspects, ranging in age from 13 to 21, allegedly shot 40-year-old Larisha Sharell Thompson while she was sitting in her vehicle, then attempted to break in. All six individuals have also been charged with burglary and attempted armed robbery following an earlier incident at a local convenience store.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office identified the adult suspects as Asael Torres-Chirinos, Jarby Ramos-Ardon, and Jeyson Salgado-Pineda. Three other individuals involved in the case are juveniles, aged 13, 14, and 15. According to law enforcement, the fatal shooting occurred as Thompson was en route to a friend’s residence. Authorities believe the group approached her vehicle at random before carrying out the attack. The suspects are also linked to a separate burglary attempt at a convenience store in the same area.

One of the adult suspects, Torres-Chirinos, had a prior arrest for domestic violence in 2023. Following the recent arrests, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued immigration detainers for all six individuals, ensuring they will remain in custody throughout the legal proceedings. The detainers are expected to prevent their release back into the community.

The federal government has responded to the incident by highlighting efforts to support victims of immigration-related crimes. The Department of Homeland Security has reinstated the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office, which provides assistance to individuals and families affected by crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. The office, originally launched in 2017, had been discontinued under the previous administration and has now been reestablished to provide support services and information to those impacted.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Department of Homeland Security press release

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