Murder of Sharonda Sims: Newberry County still seeks answers THREE years after woman was shot and killed
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: The cold case of Sharonda Sims has troubled the Newberry County police for three long years and it seems they still do not have a concrete lead. Sims was found dead around 3 am on September 17, 2019, on Drayton Street after a 911 call reported finding the woman on the side of the road. The first responders found her with gunshot wounds. The preliminary investigation did not seem fruitful as the only security camera footage that was there could only capture Sims walking down the road alone and the muzzle flash of the gun.
WISTV reports that the unsolvable case is now in its third year and the police are now urging people to come forward with any piece of information about this homicide. Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster is saying, "We have been actively investigating this case and interviewing anyone we can in an attempt to get leads, which will bring closure for Sims’ family. Sharonda was someone’s daughter, a sibling, and a mother. How would you feel if someone was holding critical information that could help you provide closure in your loss?" Sims was found dead in a ditch near the intersection of Drayton Street and Cherry Lane after a resident called 911 and informed them about the firing. Three years later, no information has been gathered. Back in 2019, Coroner Laura Kneece declared the gunshot wounds to be the cause of her death.
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Cold case of Sharonda Sims marks 3-year anniversary
September 17 marks the three-year anniversary of Sims' case going unsolved and the police are not yet sure whether it was a gang-related crime or a crime with no motive. At the time of the incident, police received two calls about hearing shots fired a short distance from where Sims was found, and the third call was from a resident who heard shots fired along Drayton Street where a lifeless Sims was found. It's unclear if the shootings are related. Back in 2019, Foster believed that a vehicle might have been involved as the shootings that took place called the need for a vehicle.
Back in 2019, Foster said, "Gangs are becoming an issue. The gangs we have here are more neighborhood-type gangs versus the organized type gang, but it’s still a gang and, if they’re shooting weapons or causing problems, it doesn’t matter if they’re affiliated with a national gang. It’s still a huge problem." According to Index Journal, Sharonda Shantay Sims, 40, of 54 Holly Berry Lane was arrested and charged with breach of peace, high and aggravated nature, and unlawful carrying of a pistol along with Darshaun Jamal Wright, 30, of 30592 SC Highway 34.