News Summary
In Lancaster County, six teenagers have been arrested following a shooting that resulted in the death of 40-year-old Larisha Thompson. She was found shot in her car, believed to be an innocent victim during an attempted robbery. Law enforcement arrested three adults and three juveniles, all facing serious charges, including murder and armed robbery. Digital evidence linked the suspects to both the shooting and a prior burglary attempt. This tragic incident highlights growing concerns over youth violence in the area.
Lancaster County – Six teenagers have been charged in connection with a shooting that resulted in the death of an innocent bystander on May 2. The victim, 40-year-old Larisha Thompson, was found deceased in her car on Riverside Road, shortly after midnight, having suffered a gunshot wound. Authorities believe that Thompson was a random target during an attempted robbery.
Thompson had left her home nearby to travel to Rock Hill earlier that night and was alone when family members lost contact with her. They began searching for her, ultimately discovering her lifeless body in her Honda Accord. Sheriff Barry Faile described the incident as one that “defies any sense of decency in a civilized society,” stressing that Thompson posed no threat to the perpetrators.
On May 12, law enforcement officials arrested three adults: Asael Torres-Chirinos (21), Jarby Ramos-Odari (18), and Jeyson Pineda-Salgado (17). All were charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. These suspects are currently being held without bail. Three juveniles, aged 15, 14, and 13, also face charges for the same offenses, although their identities are withheld due to their status as minors.
All six suspects may face removal from the United States under federal immigration law, with the Department of Homeland Security placing detainers on them. Law enforcement indicated that digital evidence connected Torres-Chirinos to both the crime scene and a failed burglary attempt just days earlier on April 30 at the Van Wuck Mart.
Surveillance footage from the burglary depicted young men trying to break into the store, during which a firearm discharged. Forensic analysis confirmed a match between the 9mm handgun used in the burglary and the weapon employed in Thompson’s murder. Investigators seized the firearm from Torres-Chirinos’ residence on May 8.
The authorities believe that the group, including the juveniles, planned the crime via WhatsApp after forming a friendship through a local soccer team. Their intention was to force a driver to stop by shooting at their vehicle and then rob them.
After the shooting, five shell casings were collected from the scene, matching ten shell casings from the earlier burglary attempt. Witnesses reported that the suspects displayed signs of glee following the events, as seen in the store’s surveillance footage where they celebrated the crime and discussed how to dispose of the evidence.
Additionally, Torres-Chirinos has been charged with possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien. Defense attorneys for the juveniles claimed their clients felt threatened by Torres-Chirinos, who fired the gun.
The legal troubles of the suspects extend beyond state charges, with the potential for deportation complicating the situation further for Thompson’s family as they seek justice. This tragic incident has highlighted ongoing concerns about crime and safety in the area, following a spate of violence involving young individuals.
The investigation continues as the community grapples with the impact of this senseless act of violence and seeks to understand how to prevent further tragedies in the future.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV: Several Teens Charged After Bystander Found Shot to Death in Lancaster County
- WGAL: Lancaster Carnival at Penn Medicine Park Canceled After Shooting
- WSOC TV: Prosecutors Say Teens Planned Deadly Shooting Through WhatsApp
- ABC27: Teen From Lancaster County School Shooting Threat Gets Chance to Expunge Record
- Local21 News: 2 Hospitalized After Shooting at Lancaster County Apartment Complex
- Wikipedia: Lancaster County
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
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