LEXINGTON, S.C. – An 11-year-old girl was fatally shot inside a home Wednesday night during what investigators believe was a gang-related shooting.
The girl has been identified as Tashya Michelle Jay, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.
Another girl was also shot during the incident in the 700 block of Madera Road near Batesburg-Leesville. She was taken to the hospital. Her medical team expects her to recover, according to detectives.
“Deputies got to the scene about 10:40 after receiving reports of several shots fired,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “There were a lot of people on scene as there was a party happening near the home where the two girls were shot. Batesburg-Leesville officers helped us secure the scene so we could start collecting evidence.”
Multiple mobile homes and vehicles were damaged as a result of the gunfire, according to Koon.
“Investigators worked through the night and continue to do everything they can to generate some information on who was involved in this,” Koon said. “Witnesses told us early on they thought this was gang-related. We hope community members will come forward and share tips with us as they find out about what happened.”
Koon said anyone with information about potential suspects should contact Crimestoppers.
*Correction: An earlier version of this release stated that the party happened at the home. This is a typo. The party happened at a nearby home.*