In the early morning hours of May 9, 2026, the life of 27-year-old Arieyelle Coulette was tragically cut short in Sumter, South Carolina. A graduate of Sumter High School and an employee at Volvo Car US Operations in Ridgeville, she was known for the bright smile that often graced her face, especially when spending time with her young daughter, Nariah.
Friends and family remember her as a devoted mother who cherished her time with her daughter and enjoyed the company of her coworkers and club members. Her sudden and violent death left a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, a stark contrast to the joy she brought to their lives.
The events that led to Arieyelle’s death began to unfold around 2:15 a.m. on Carolina Avenue, when the Sumter Police Department received a report of shots fired, with one home being struck by gunfire. Moments later, officers were alerted that a woman, later identified as Arieyelle Coulette, had been brought to Prisma Health Tuomey in a private vehicle with a gunshot wound. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. The investigation quickly revealed that the two incidents were connected. Arieyelle was a passenger in a car when shots were fired from another vehicle, striking both her and the nearby house. No other injuries were reported in the incident that shattered the early morning quiet.
The investigation swiftly led law enforcement to two suspects in neighboring Lee County. Elijah Handy, 19, of Bishopville, and Dorein Antwon Vereen-Price, 28, who had ties to Florence and Longs, were taken into custody with the assistance of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Both men were subsequently charged with murder and booked at the Sumter County Sheriff's Department Detention Center. In addition to the murder charge, Handy faced a weapons-related charge in Lee County. As of late May 2026, the case against Handy and Vereen-Price is pending within the judicial system. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation as authorities continue to seek information from the public to piece together the circumstances that led to the untimely death of Arieyelle Coulette.
