The Lancaster, South Carolina community is grieving after 40-year-old Larisha Sharell Thompson was fatally shot while driving her car in what police are calling a random and senseless act of violence.
Ten days after the shooting, six suspects — including three juveniles — have been arrested and face serious criminal charges. The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has confirmed that the attack was unprovoked and deeply troubling for both investigators and the community.
Victim Identified as Mother, Community Member
Thompson, a beloved mother and resident of Lancaster, was killed on May 2, 2025, while simply driving her vehicle. Authorities believe the attackers tried to rob her but were unable to enter her locked car after the shooting.
“This was a senseless, unprovoked attack on a woman simply driving her car,” said Sheriff Barry Faile in an official statement. “Our hearts go out to her family.”
Six Arrested, Including Five Teens
According to LCSO, the suspects include:
Adults charged as adults:
- Asael Aminadas Torres-Chirinos, 21
- Jarby Ardon Ramos-Odari, 18
- Jeyson Sobied Pineda-Salgado, 17
Juveniles (names withheld due to age):
- Ages 13, 14, and 15
All six face charges of:
- Murder
- Attempted armed robbery
- Second-degree burglary
Torres-Chirinos also faces:
- Two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime
- One count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien
Ballistics Evidence Links Crimes
A break in the case came from a burglary at a gas station on April 29 — just three days before the shooting. During the break-in, a suspect fired a shot at a bathroom door and surveillance camera.
Forensic experts matched ballistic evidence from that scene with shell casings recovered at the scene of Thompson’s shooting.
Authorities also recovered the suspected 9mm handgun used in both incidents during a search of Torres-Chirinos’ residence. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts linked him to both crimes.
“A forensic examiner confirmed the same firearm was used in both crimes,” said the LCSO in a press release.
Immigration Consequences
All six suspects are also facing potential federal immigration action. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued immigration detainers for all six individuals.
Officials confirmed that each suspect is subject to removal from the United States based on their current immigration status.
Ongoing Detention
- The three adult suspects are being held at the Lancaster County Detention Center.
- The juvenile suspects are being detained at a Department of Juvenile Justice facility.
Community Mourns and Seeks Justice
The murder has shaken Lancaster, a small city located just 50 miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. Family members and local residents have held vigils and memorials in honor of Thompson’s life.
“She was just out driving — living her life,” one family member said. “Now she’s gone, and we need justice.”