Sumter, South Carolina – A tragic incident unfolded in Sumter when a pregnant woman lost her life in a shooting that also left both her newborn baby and another individual injured. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has launched a search for the assailant responsible for the violence.
The victim, identified as Jennifer Marie Cruz, a 33-year-old resident of Sumter, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at Prisma Health Tuomey. Cruz, who was reportedly 35 weeks pregnant at the time of her death, was the target of what officials are calling a “heinous crime.” Despite her passing, the fetus was successfully delivered and transported to a hospital in critical condition.
Apart from Cruz and the newborn, another person sustained gunshot wounds during the violent encounter. This individual’s injuries are not deemed life-threatening, as per the sheriff’s office. Updates on the condition of the baby and the second victim are pending.
The shooting victims were rushed to the Sumter hospital early Saturday morning, prompting law enforcement to investigate the incident at the scene on North Main Street. Witnesses informed authorities that the perpetrator, identified as Troy Wells, an acquaintance of the victims, awaited their arrival at a local motel.
Upon the victims’ arrival at the motel, Wells opened fire on their vehicle, striking both Cruz and the other victim. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and the suspect, Wells, is currently at large and considered armed and dangerous, facing charges of murder and attempted murder.
Sheriff Anthony Dennis urged the public to exercise caution and report any sightings of Wells to 911. Those with information relevant to the case are encouraged to reach out to CrimeStoppers or submit tips online. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the assistance of the sheriff’s office and the coroner’s office. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to shed more light on the tragic events that unfolded.