Tragic Ambush in South Carolina
A woman from South Carolina thought she was meeting someone to purchase a puppy. Instead, she became a victim of a horrific ambush, as authorities revealed. This unfortunate incident led to her being shot and her body set on fire.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, this incident occurred on January 22. Police received reports about a vehicle engulfed in flames in Effingham, with a body inside.
Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lucken confirmed that the victim was identified as 40-year-old Dana Marie Kinlaw.
The police stated that two individuals, Ilyana Jalissa Fleming and Daquin Taheen Thomas, were believed to have intentionally killed Kinlaw and subsequently set her body ablaze within the vehicle.
Sheriff TJ Joy mentioned that Fleming had lured Kinlaw to a secluded area for their meeting about the puppy.
“They probably went together,” Joy explained, adding that Fleming, a 19-year-old friend of Kinlaw’s, rode along under false pretenses. “They were likely going to buy a puppy.”
Investigators suspect that Kinlaw’s murder might be connected to a retaliation for a previous homicide involving her family in Darlington County.
“We believe there was a homicide in Darlington, and this situation is linked to that case,” Sheriff Joy noted.
Joy elaborated that Kinlaw’s son may have been involved in some capacity, suggesting this act was retaliation.
On January 22, both Thomas (31) and Fleming were arrested and charged with murder and firearm possession during a violent crime.
Later, another suspect, Nikko Christopher Callaway, 31, was taken into custody on January 28 in relation to Kinlaw’s murder, facing charges of murder, first-degree arson, and weapon possession during a violent crime as well.
Currently, all three suspects are being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center. The investigation is still ongoing, and there’s a possibility of added charges.
Interestingly, court records indicate that Thomas has a history of charges dating back to 2014, including multiple counts of attempted murder and aggravated robbery.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office did not respond immediately to requests for further comment.
