(Bishopville) - Lee County Law Enforcement says a woman and her mother were shot in a domestic dispute Thursday evening that left her dead, and her mother in the hospital.
Lee County Major Daniel Simon rolled up the crime scene tape at a residence on Janice Court Friday. Still, the violent shootings that shook the community can't be rolled away.
Major Simon said, "It's real sad all the domestics in the State of South Carolina. The violence of it. It's violence in nature."
Thursday night, deputies found Regina Holloman and her mother Mary Lou Holloman inside. Regina was shot several times in the chest. Her mother was shot once.
Major Simon says when deputies arrived at the home, Regina positively identifed Bruce Thomas as the shooter."
Simon said, "The officer picked up a picture off the coffee table and she pointed to him and said that's Bruce Thomas who shot me."
Thomas was Regina's boyfriend and she told deputies that he started a fight with her.
Simon said, "She said when he came home he was drinking and started arguing with her and pulled out a gun."
Then, her mother called for help.
Simon said, "Mary Lou Holloman called in and said her daughter was hiding in the closet and he shot her several times."
On his way out the door, Simon says Thomas shot Mary Lou.
Even worse, Regina's 2 to 3 year old nephew witnessed the whole thing.
Both women were airlifted to Palmetto Richland Thursday. Sadly, around ten Thursday night, Regina passed away.
Lee County officers say Thomas turned himself in at the Richland County Sheriff's Department early Friday morning. Deputies say he admitted to the shooting. Officials say he had alcohol on his breath, and investigators believe he was intoxicated at the time of the shooting.
Thomas is being held at the Sumter-Lee County Jail. He was charged with one count of assault with intent to kill, and one count of murder.
Law enforcement says the couple has not had a history of domestic violence.
10/7/2006 7:49:18 PM
