New information today in the shooting death of 10-year-old Lavinia Lowe in Aiken County

AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – The sheriff announcing five people are now charged in her murder. 

The 10-year-old was shot to death back on June 25th while she was sleeping in her home on Dorsett-Kinsey Road in Beech Island.  Today — Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer announcing the five arrests.  And he says the suspects were looking for someone else. 

More than a month after the death of Lavinia Lowe, Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer announcing five arrests. 

Brandon Pollard, Timothy Harris, Junior are both charged with first degree murder. 

Tramain Wilson is charged with murder.  All three are also facing Criminal Conspiracy charges. 

The other two suspects — Ri’Dauris Blocker and Quincy Dunbar are both charged with Criminal Conspiracy.  Dunbar is also charged with Accessory to Murder.  

“Throughout our investigation we committed every available resource to find those responsible for this senseless and cowardly act of violence,” said Marty Sawyer, Sheriff Aiken County Sheriff’s Office.  

Sheriff Sawyer says the shooting came in retaliation of the murder Tranard Sheppard on June 22nd. He says the person the suspects intended to shoot had not lived in the home for a year and a half. 

“Our investigators have connected the two and evidence shows that these gang banging cowards fired into the residence with a ten-year-old girl slept in her bed, killing her as a retaliation for the Sara Street shooting. They attacked a house full of innocent people,” said Sawyer.  

During Thursday’s announcement, Sawyer encouraged the community to help reduce gang violence by letting police know when they see something.  

“Until the community steps up and assist law enforcement and until people get sick and tired of these gang bangers shooting up innocent victims. It’s not going to change,” said Sawyer.  

Lavinia Lowe’s great aunt says the family is still coping with their loss, but happy the arrests have been made. 

“On behalf of our family, of our precious baby, known as ‘Muffin,’ we want to thank every law enforcement that put in tireless nights and hours to make sure that those arrests were appropriate,” said Sharon Houston, Great Aunt of Lavinia Lowe. “My niece, nephew have struggled for the last 35 days but on yesterday the news was given and we had a celebration at her gravesite.”  

Sawyer says there is still at least one suspect who may be connected to this case He did not identify that person.