On a tragic day in Florence, South Carolina, 18-year-old Lydia Abigail 'Abby' Thompson, a white female, and 24-year-old Malik Da'Quan Askins lost their lives in a brazen act of violence. The shooting occurred on April 6, 2021, sending shockwaves through the community. The Florence County Sheriff's Office was notified of a vehicle being shot at and discovered the two victims deceased inside from apparent gunshot wounds.
Initial reports from investigators indicated they were actively
searching for two persons of interest in connection with the double homicide. The senseless act left a young daughter without her mother and a community demanding answers. The investigation into the deaths of Thompson and Askins continued as authorities worked to bring those responsible to justice.
Two men, Darius Vondell Lewis and Juwan Deshad Dollard-Wade, were later arrested and charged in connection with the murders. Both men faced two counts of murder for their alleged involvement in the shooting deaths of Thompson and Askins. Their arrests marked a significant development in a case that had left the community on edge.
Following their arrests, both Lewis and Dollard-Wade faced the judicial process. Court records indicate that both men were ultimately convicted on two counts of murder. For their crimes, Darius Vondell Lewis and Juwan Deshad Dollard-Wade were each sentenced to 45 years in prison, bringing a measure of closure to the families of the victims and the community that had been impacted by this tragic event.
