Three children as young as 13 years old were among the six illegal immigrants charged with the cold-blooded murder of a South Carolina mother in what authorities describe as a “random” robbery gone wrong.
Key Takeaways
- Six illegal immigrants, including three juveniles aged 13-15, have been charged in the murder of 40-year-old Larisha Thompson during an attempted robbery in Lancaster, South Carolina.
- All suspects have deportation detainers placed on them by the Department of Homeland Security, though they will face justice in South Carolina before any potential deportation.
- The adult suspects include Asael Torres-Chirinos (21), who allegedly fired the fatal shots, along with Jarby Ramos-Odari (18) and Jeyson Pineda-Salgado (17).
- The case represents the latest in a series of high-profile crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, strengthening calls for stricter immigration enforcement.
- Due to immigration court proceedings, even after serving potential sentences, the deportation process for these suspects could take years.
Random Victim Gunned Down By Illegal Immigrants
The murder occurred on May 2 along Riverside Road in Lancaster when 40-year-old Larisha Thompson was shot and killed in her car during what investigators believe was an attempted robbery. Evidence suggests all six suspects were in a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Asael Torres-Chirinos, who allegedly fired the fatal shots. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that all six individuals charged are in the country illegally, sparking national outrage about the failures of current immigration policies and border security under the Harris-Biden administration.
The suspects include three adults: Torres-Chirinos (21), Jarby Ramos-Odari (18), and Jeyson Pineda-Salgado (17), all facing charges of murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. Torres-Chirinos faces additional charges related to firearm possession during a violent crime and possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien. Three minors, aged 15, 14, and 13, have also been charged with the same crimes but will be processed through the juvenile justice system, raising serious questions about juvenile crime and immigration enforcement.
“This shooting defies any sense of decency in a civilized society.” Said Barry Faile
“Ms. Thompson was going about her business on a Friday night, not bothering anyone.”
ICE Detainers Placed as Community Demands Justice
The Department of Homeland Security has placed detainers on all six suspects, signaling their intent to take custody of the individuals for potential deportation after the completion of any criminal sentences. Sheriff Faile emphasized that this does not mean immediate deportation, stating, “The Department of Homeland Security has placed detainers on these six. That doesn’t mean the federal government will scoop them up and send them out of the country before their cases are heard in court.”
“Larisha Sharell Thompson’s life was tragically taken by criminal illegal aliens. She was a mother who was driving to a friend’s house when her life was brutally taken by these criminal aliens who should have never been in our country.” Said Tricia McLaughlin
Lancaster County officials report that the suspects were also connected to an attempted burglary that occurred days before the murder. Investigators identified Torres-Chirinos’ vehicle from surveillance footage, which led to the arrests of all six individuals. The random nature of the victim selection has heightened community fears, as Thompson appears to have been targeted simply because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Legal System Faces Multiple Challenges
Immigration attorney Carnell Johnson explained that despite the serious charges, the suspects still retain certain legal rights, including due process in both criminal and immigration courts. “Immigration removal proceedings for each immigrant can take years,” Johnson noted, highlighting the complex and often lengthy process that would follow any criminal sentences. This reality has frustrated many Americans who demand swifter action against illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes.
“People like this have no place in our society, and we will do everything in our power to make sure the full weight of the law is brought down on these six individuals,” declared Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile, reflecting the community’s demand for justice.
The case raises disturbing questions about how individuals as young as 13 who entered the country illegally became involved in such violent crime. The Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed how the migrants entered the U.S. or whether the minors were accompanied by adults when they crossed the border. According to ICE data referenced in reports, over 49,000 immigrants are currently detained in the U.S., with more than 56% having criminal records, although these range from minor offenses to serious violent crimes.
Calls for Immigration Reform Intensify
This tragic murder has added fuel to the ongoing national debate about immigration policy. President Trump has consistently advocated for stronger border security and stricter immigration enforcement, while critics argue that isolated incidents should not be used to characterize entire immigrant communities. The involvement of juveniles as young as 13 in this heinous crime has also sparked discussions about juvenile justice reform and the challenges of addressing criminal behavior among minors.
Sixth Judicial Circuit Solicitor Randy Newman explained the process regarding ICE holds: “So historically, we place, when ICE places and holds, if that person were to make bond or be released for whatever reason, they would take jurisdiction at that point.” However, given the severity of the charges, it’s unlikely that any of the suspects would be granted bond before their trials.
As the case proceeds through both the criminal justice and immigration systems, it will likely remain a flashpoint in the debate over immigration policy and enforcement. For the family of Larisha Thompson, however, no policy debate can restore what they’ve lost – a mother whose life was senselessly cut short by individuals who, as many Americans now argue, should never have been in the country to begin with Stated Randy Newman
