Late on the night of Saturday, November 29, 2025, a violent incident unfolded at the Palmetto Place Apartments in Lancaster, South Carolina. Around 11:30 p.m., officers from the Lancaster Police Department were dispatched to the complex located on Pardue Street after receiving distressing reports of an unresponsive individual on the premises. The quiet of the late autumn evening was shattered as first responders arrived to investigate the situation, which was quickly reclassified as a homicide
inquiry.
Upon arrival at the scene, law enforcement personnel discovered an 18-year-old female suffering from a severe gunshot wound. Despite the immediate response, the victim had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the location by authorities. The Lancaster County Coroner, Karla Deese, later identified the teenager as Evangeline "Evie" Fausta Mancera. A forensic autopsy was scheduled to determine the precise cause of death, while the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit arrived to assist in collecting evidence and processing the area for clues.
Evangeline, a native of Spartanburg, was remembered in her obituary as a vibrant young woman who loved the outdoors and held a special bond with children, often spending time as a substitute teacher. Known affectionately as "Evie," she was the daughter of Juan Pablo Lopez Mancera and Samantha Ann Burgess. Her untimely death caused a wave of grief among her friends and family, with Police Chief Don Roper issuing a statement condemning the violence and pledging a thorough investigation to bring justice to the grieving family.
As of the days immediately following the shooting, police reported that no arrests had been made and no suspects had been publicly identified. Investigators noted that information regarding the shooter or a potential motive remained unavailable. Authorities continued to appeal to the community for any leads, urging witnesses to contact the Lancaster Police Department or the anonymous tip line with any information that could shed light on the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.
