Murdered women; teenager injured in Lancaster home invasion

LANCASTER, SC (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a woman and the serious gunshot wound of a teenager during a violent home invasion Thursday.

Deputies responded to a 911 call at 991 15th Street Thursday night. They found a 15-year-old and a 35-year-old woman with gunshot wounds. Deputies treated the injured until an ambulance arrived.

An ambulance took the teenager to a medical facility, declaring the woman dead on the spot. The Lancaster Coroner has arrived and will conduct an autopsy at an undetermined date.

Deputies reported that a 39-year-old man, a 35-year-old woman and two teenagers aged 15 and 13 lived in the house. On Friday afternoon, Deputy Coroner John Collins and Coroner Carla Dees identified the victim as Stephanie Johnson, 35, of Lancaster, South Carolina.

After securing the scene, law enforcement officers conducted an investigation. They learned that a man had knocked on the door. When he asked the man at the entrance to identify himself, two men in dark clothes forced open the entrance.

The man fought with the attackers. During the struggle, someone fired a gun. The attackers fled the scene on foot.

Although no arrests have been made, Sheriff Barry Faile does not believe nearby residents are in danger.

“This was a very violent home invasion with a horrific outcome,” said Sheriff Faile. “Our thoughts and prayers are with this family and we wish the young man who was shot a full recovery. We are working hard to identify the two men who did this. We have already collected many very good leads, but I urge anyone with information related to this case to contact the sheriff’s office.”

Anyone with information about this or any other case should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 or contact Midlands Crimestoppers in one of the following ways:

• Dial 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372)
• Log on to www.midlandscrimestoppers.com
• Click the Submit Tip tab or download the P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office worked with the Lancaster County Violent Crimes Task Force and the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office in the investigation.