Six illegal immigrants, including three teenagers as young as 13, charged with murdering South Carolina mother Larisha Thompson during a botched robbery—adding fuel to the raging national debate over America’s immigration crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Six undocumented immigrants, including minors aged 13, 14, and 15, have been charged with the murder of a 40-year-old mother in Lancaster, South Carolina during an attempted robbery.
- All suspects have deportation detainers placed on them by the Department of Homeland Security, though they will face prosecution in South Carolina before any potential deportation.
- The alleged shooter, 21-year-old Asael Torres-Chirinos, faces additional charges for possessing a firearm as an unlawful alien.
- The victim, Larisha Thompson, appears to have been randomly targeted while driving to a friend’s house.
- Despite detainers, the suspects’ deportation proceedings could take years due to immigration court backlogs and due process requirements.
Random Mother Targeted by Illegal Immigrants
The murder of 40-year-old Larisha Thompson has shocked the Lancaster, South Carolina community and ignited nationwide outrage. On May 2, Thompson was found dead from a gunshot wound in her car along Riverside Road in Lancaster County. Investigators believe she was randomly targeted by a group of six illegal immigrants attempting to commit a robbery. The suspects, ranging in age from 13 to 21, were all reportedly in a vehicle together when 21-year-old Asael Torres-Chirinos allegedly fired the fatal shots at Thompson, who was simply driving to visit a friend.
“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.”
Six Suspects Face Murder Charges with Immigration Consequences
The group of suspects includes three adults: Asael Torres-Chirinos (21), Jarby Ramos-Odari (18), and Jeyson Pineda-Salgado (17), all charged with murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. Torres-Chirinos faces additional charges for possessing a firearm during a violent crime and as an unlawful alien. Three minors, aged 15, 14, and 13, have been charged with the same crimes but will be processed through the juvenile justice system. Investigators believe this same group was involved in an attempted burglary just days before Thompson’s murder.
“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
The Department of Homeland Security has placed detainers on all six suspects, signaling intent to take custody should they be released from local authorities. However, local officials have clarified that the suspects will face justice in South Carolina before any potential deportation proceedings begin. The tragedy highlights the ongoing crisis at America’s southern border and the deadly consequences when violent criminals enter our country illegally.
Justice Delayed by Immigration Court Process
Despite the severity of their alleged crimes, the path to deportation for these suspects is complex and potentially lengthy. According to immigration attorney Carnell Johnson, “Immigration removal proceedings for each immigrant can take years.”
The suspects will be entitled to a series of hearings in immigration court before facing potential removal, a process that can drag on for an extended period due to backlogs and procedural requirements.
“The Department of Homeland Security has placed detainers on these six.” Said Sheriff Faile
“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.”
This case highlights the growing frustration many Americans feel with an immigration system that seems to prioritize lengthy legal processes for criminal aliens over the safety of law-abiding citizens.
While these six suspects await their fate in the American justice system, research indicates they are among over 49,000 immigrants currently detained in the United States. More than 56% of those detainees have criminal records, though many are for minor offenses. What sets this case apart is both the shocking violence involved and the young ages of three of the alleged perpetrators – a disturbing reminder of the human cost of failed border policies and the ongoing immigration crisis that continues to devastate American communities.
