Posted in

Woman Killed in Interstate 26 Shooting Identified as Authorities Arrest Suspect in Newberry County

Woman Killed in Interstate 26 Shooting Identified as Authorities Arrest Suspect in Newberry County

NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. — Authorities have released new details following a fatal shooting on Interstate 26 that left one woman dead and temporarily placed local schools and businesses on lockdown Monday afternoon.

Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece identified the victim as 52-year-old Rose Kewlani of West Columbia, who was shot near Exit 82 on I-26.

The alleged gunman, 45-year-old Wilfrido George Luna, was later apprehended after fleeing the scene and is now facing a charge of murder.

The Shooting and Aftermath

According to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, Luna allegedly shot Kewlani while traveling on the interstate. After the shooting, authorities say he abandoned his vehicle and attempted to carjack a nearby tractor-trailer truck.

Sheriff Lee Foster clarified that the truck driver was not connected to the crime and had simply been flagged down by the suspect.

Following the failed carjacking attempt, Luna fled across both lanes of the interstate toward the Mid Carolina Country Club, where he was cornered by law enforcement in the parking lot.

Standoff and Arrest

Authorities said a brief standoff occurred at the country club before Luna was ultimately taken into custody without further injuries. The swift response by deputies and state troopers helped contain the situation before it could escalate further into the surrounding community.

Scott Crouch, general manager of the Mid-Carolina Golf Course, described how staff quickly acted to protect golfers and guests during the tense situation.

“We actually have horns that you can blow, airhorns, so we blew that and went around in carts and got everybody herded up here (the clubhouse) as well as in my maintenance shop and got them all safe,” Crouch said.

Schools Temporarily Locked Down

As the manhunt unfolded, multiple nearby schools were placed on precautionary lockdowns to ensure student safety.

The School District of Newberry County confirmed that Mid-Carolina High School and Mid-Carolina Middle School were placed on lockdown, while Little Mountain, Pomaria-Garmany, and Prosperity-Rikard elementary schools were placed in “Secure Mode.”

District officials later reported that all schools had returned to normal operations by late afternoon and that all students and staff were safe throughout the incident.

Investigation Continues

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities have not released details about any possible relationship between Luna and Kewlani, or what may have led to the fatal encounter on the interstate.

An autopsy will be performed to determine Kewlani’s exact cause of death. Meanwhile, investigators from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are working jointly to reconstruct the timeline of events.

Community Impact

The incident has left many in Newberry County shaken, particularly as it unfolded during a busy time of day on a major interstate and spilled over into schools and a golf course community.

Sheriff Foster praised the coordinated response of law enforcement, school officials, and private businesses who acted swiftly to safeguard residents and contain the situation.

“This was a tragic, senseless act of violence,” Foster said. “But thanks to the quick work of first responders and cooperation across agencies, we were able to prevent further harm and ensure the safety of our community.”

Moving Forward

Wilfrido George Luna remains in custody and is expected to face additional charges as the investigation develops. For now, the community mourns the loss of Rose Kewlani, a West Columbia woman whose life ended in shocking violence along a busy interstate.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or Luna’s actions before and after the incident to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!