Pregnant woman killed in drive-by shooting; teen suspect faces murder charges

FLORENCE, SC (WMBF/Gray News) - A 19-year-old woman died after being shot while sitting in the passenger seat of a car in South Carolina.

The woman has been identified as Zynaija Thomas of Bishopville. The Florence County Coroner confirmed Thomas was approximately 19 weeks pregnant when she was shot.

Authorities say 17-year-old Ja’kaurie Bell was arrested and has been charged in connection with Thomas’ death.

Bell has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

The Florence Police Department says the shooting happened on Dec. 1, in the 600 block of Roberts Street.

According to police, video was recovered, which showed a vehicle of interest located near the scene at the time of the shooting.

Investigators were able to locate this vehicle and determined Bell was the driver.

Police say Bell allegedly drove the vehicle and other people to the scene where they reportedly shot at the car that the victim and her boyfriend were sitting in.

Thomas’ boyfriend was not injured in the shooting and took Thomas to a hospital.

Bell was taken to a detention center to await a bond hearing.

It’s still unclear if there will be additional arrests in the case.

WMBF spoke to residents around Roberts Street who say they are shaken by the violent act.

One man said he wished guns could be taken off the streets, and another said thinking about Thomas’ boyfriend and his own children that age has been keeping him up at night.

Florence Interim Police Chief Stephen Starling called Thomas’ death a tragedy and is encouraging the community to step up and be present with young people to help prevent gun violence.

“We have to, as a society, start raising better, doing better jobs, mentoring and coaching, and helping youth, or any troubled people that we know whose first instinct may be to pick up a gun instead of talking things out,” he said.

The investigation is still active.