On Christmas Day, a senseless act of violence shattered a South Carolina family, leaving five children without their mother. Calandra Nicole Troy, a 39-year-old mother, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in the Piedmont area just outside of Bishopville. The incident, which also resulted in the injury of her son, unfolded in the late afternoon, forever marking the holiday with tragedy.
One of her children tragically witnessed the event.
The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed to a conflict between one of the suspects and Troy's son. Authorities identified two women, Tyuonna Dinkins and Ly'Nazia Nicole Williams, as the individuals allegedly responsible for the drive-by. It is believed that Williams was the driver of the vehicle, while Dinkins is accused of firing the shots that ended Troy's life and wounded her son. In the days that followed, the Lee County Sheriff's Department announced that an arrest had been made in connection with the fatal shooting. Ly'Nazia Williams was taken into custody and charged with murder and attempted murder.
The violence, however, did not end with Troy's death. In a turn of events, what authorities believe to be an act of retaliation occurred just two days later. Tyuonna Dinkins, the alleged shooter in the Christmas Day incident, was herself shot and wounded. This led to the arrest of three individuals who are believed to have connections to Calandra Troy's family. They are now facing charges of attempted murder for the retaliatory shooting. Dinkins was hospitalized for her injuries and was slated to be arrested and formally charged upon her release.
