Six people, five of whom are teenagers, have been taken into police custody for the murder of a South Carolina mother. The victim, Larisha Sharell Thompson, was driving alone at night when she was shot to death in her car. At first, there weren’t many details about Thompson’s death. But after nearly two weeks, more information has emerged.
Police found connections between the woman’s murder and another crime. As a result, they identified possible suspects. Now, police have made arrests and charges in connection with Thompson’s death.
On May 2, 2025, deputies from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office were called, and discovered Thompson shot in her car, the department said in a release. Earlier that evening, the 40-year-old mom had left her home alone. When family members lost contact with her, they went out looking, finding her in her car.
Ten days later, on May 12, the sheriff’s office announced that it had taken six people into custody in relation to the killing. Three of the suspects are adults, while three are juveniles. Twenty-one-year-old Asael Aminadas Torres-Chirinos, 18-year-old Jarby Ardon Ramos-Odari, and 17-year-old Jeyson Sobied Pineda-Salgado, were charged as adults. The other three suspects’ names have not been released because they are 13, 14, and 15 years old.
Police have charged the three older suspects with murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. The younger teens have been charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary in Department of Juvenile Justice petitions.
LCSO was able to make progress in Thompson’s murder case due to a crime that had taken place on April 30. “During the burglary, a handgun was fired at and damaged a surveillance camera and the bathroom door,” an update on the statement reads. “An investigator and crime scene agents responded and collected evidence, including ballistics evidence.”
Ballistics evidence from both crimes were sent to a state crime lab. There, a “forensic examiner determined the same 9 mm handgun was used in both incidents.” Thanks to surveillance video and an eyewitness, Torres-Chirinos was identified as a suspect because his car was seen at both crime scenes. Deputies say they later recovered the gun during a search at his home.
Torres-Chirinos faces additional charges. He also faces two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien.
After reviewing all the evidence, authorities believe that the suspects were attempting to rob Thompson. However, they were unable to unlock her car.
Sheriff Barry Faile said: “Ms. Thompson was going about her business on a Friday night, not bothering anyone. All of a sudden these six men and boys, out to get something for nothing from someone they did not know and had no business bothering, pulled alongside her car, and Torres-Chirinos opened fire, killing Ms. Thompson.”
