PAGELAND, S.C. — 7-Year-Old Girl in Critical Condition After Drive-By Shooting While Asleep in Her Home
PAGELAND, S.C. — A small South Carolina town is reeling from a senseless act of violence that has left a 7-year-old girl fighting for her life. According to the Pageland Police Department, young Skylar Baker remains in critical condition after being shot in the head while sleeping in her own bed early Sunday morning. The incident has shocked the quiet community and ignited urgent calls for justice and accountability.
The shooting occurred around 1:17 a.m. Sunday when officers responded to reports of gunfire directed at a home in the normally peaceful town of Pageland, located in Chesterfield County near the North Carolina border. When police arrived, they found that multiple rounds had been fired into the house, striking Skylar as she lay asleep.
“This was a careless and cowardly act of violence,” the Pageland Police Department said in a statement. “An innocent child was seriously injured in a place where she should have been safest—her own home.”
Authorities believe the shooting was a drive-by, though details about a possible motive or intended target remain unclear. As of Wednesday, no arrests have been made and the suspect or suspects remain at large. Police are actively investigating and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Skylar Baker received immediate medical attention at the scene from first responders and was then airlifted to a nearby trauma center for emergency treatment. She remains in critical condition, and her family is keeping vigil at the hospital, hoping for a miracle.
“She’s just a sweet, energetic little girl,” said a family friend who described Skylar as bright and full of life. “This should never have happened. No child should ever have to suffer like this. She deserves to grow up, to laugh and to play—not to be lying in a hospital bed because of someone’s reckless violence.”
The shooting has shaken Pageland’s tight-knit community, where acts of gun violence are rare and typically isolated. Neighbors have rallied around Skylar’s family, offering prayers, donations, and emotional support. A local church is organizing a candlelight vigil and prayer service in her honor, and a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover medical expenses.
Pageland Police Chief Craig Green issued a public plea to the community during a press conference Monday afternoon: “This child is fighting for her life. We need your help to bring whoever did this to justice. Someone out there knows something. Speak up before this happens to another family, another child.”
The police department is working in conjunction with state law enforcement agencies and the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office to track down leads. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses is being reviewed, and forensic evidence is being analyzed in hopes of identifying the vehicle or individuals responsible.
Meanwhile, the Baker family is focused on Skylar’s recovery. “We are asking everyone to keep Skylar in your prayers,” said a family member. “She’s strong, and we are holding on to hope. But we also need justice.”
The heartbreaking case has once again highlighted the broader issue of gun violence and its devastating impact on innocent lives—particularly children who become unintended victims in violent acts that should never happen.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials urge anyone with information to contact the Pageland Police Department or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more details emerge about the investigation and Skylar’s condition.