Person Fatally Shot on South Carolina’s I-26; Suspect Captured After Golf Course Standoff
PROSPERITY, S.C. – A woman was fatally shot Monday morning on a busy stretch of Interstate 26 in Newberry County, South Carolina, triggering a police manhunt that ended with the suspect’s dramatic capture at a nearby golf course.
Victim Shot on I-26, Suspect Fled on Foot
The incident unfolded before noon on August 18 near Exit 82 to Highway 773 along I-26 West. According to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, 45-year-old Wilfrido George Luna shot a woman who was inside the vehicle with him. Her name and age have not yet been released by authorities.
After the shooting, Luna abandoned the scene and fled across several lanes of highway traffic, cutting through a wooded area before arriving at the Mid-Carolina Club golf course.
Arrest During Active Golf Tournament
Luna’s escape attempt came to a halt in the parking lot of the golf course, where law enforcement encountered him and conducted a brief standoff. The arrest occurred while a tournament was actively underway, forcing golfers off the course and prompting temporary lockdowns at nearby schools.
Officials say Luna was not armed during the arrest and did not resist further after the initial confrontation.
Tractor-Trailer Interaction Raises Questions
Before his capture, Luna reportedly flagged down a tractor-trailer and spent an unspecified amount of time inside it. However, he did not take control of the vehicle or drive it, and investigators have not clarified what occurred during that period.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate a motive for the shooting, which remains unclear. Authorities confirmed that the victim and suspect knew each other and were traveling together at the time of the incident.
Murder Charges Filed
Following his arrest, Luna was booked into the Newberry County jail and formally charged with murder. As of Tuesday morning, no other injuries related to the incident have been reported.
The scene of the shooting — about 30 minutes from Columbia and en route to the Greenville-Spartanburg corridor — caused significant disruption to traffic and nearby public facilities.
As violence along South Carolina’s highways continues to raise safety concerns, stay informed by following community alerts and travel advisories at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com. Have a tip or concern? Let us know in the comments.
