Sumter, South Carolina – A tragic incident occurred over the weekend in Sumter, South Carolina, where a pregnant woman lost her life in a shooting that also led to the hospitalization of her newborn baby and another individual. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is currently pursuing the gunman responsible for this devastating act.
The victim, identified as Jennifer Marie Cruz, 33 years old and a resident of Sumter, was rushed to Prisma Health Tuomey, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries. Sheriff Anthony Dennis confirmed that Cruz, who was reportedly 35 weeks pregnant, died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, labeling the incident as a “heinous crime.”
Despite the loss of the mother, the fetus miraculously survived and was successfully delivered. The newborn baby was transferred to a hospital in Columbia, where reports indicate the infant is in critical condition. Additionally, another individual sustained injuries from the shooting but is expected to recover.
Law enforcement officials revealed that the shooting took place in the 1700 block of North Main Street, with witnesses identifying the alleged shooter as Troy Wells, an acquaintance of the victims. Further details regarding Wells’ connection to the victims have not been disclosed.
According to statements from the sheriff’s office, Wells ambushed the victims at a motel where they were staying, opening fire on their vehicle upon their arrival in the early hours of the morning. Both Cruz and the second victim were struck by the gunfire, with authorities still investigating the motive behind the attack.
Sheriff Dennis emphasized the brutal nature of the crime, indicating that Wells knew of Cruz’s pregnancy, describing the assault as “callous and cold-blooded.” The suspect is facing charges of murder and attempted murder and is considered armed and dangerous by law enforcement.
As the community grapples with this senseless act of violence, authorities are urging the public to refrain from approaching Wells and to instead contact 911 if his whereabouts are known. The investigation into the shooting continues, with both the sheriff’s office and the coroner’s office working diligently to uncover all details surrounding the tragic incident. An autopsy is scheduled to take place at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on Monday.