Woman killed in I-26 shooting identified and gunman arrested, SC officials say
A man was taken into custody Monday following a fatal shooting and search for the gunman that prompted multiple South Carolina schools to enact security measures, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
Rose Helen Kewlani, a 52-year-old West Columbia resident, was identified as the shooting victim by Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece on Tuesday.
The shooting happened Monday morning on the westbound side of Interstate 26, near Exit 82, which is the junction to Prosperity, the sheriff’s office said in a news release. It’s believed a man shot a woman then ran across I-26, according to the release.
The sheriff’s office called the shooting a homicide. It was not clear if the shooting happened inside a vehicle or along the side of I-26.
Wilfrido George Luna, a 45-year-old West Columbia resident, was charged with murder and is being held at the Newberry County Detention Center, the sheriff’s office said.
No other injuries were reported.
Following a search, Luna was located in the Mid Carolina Country Club’s parking lot and taken into custody after a brief standoff, according to the release.
During the search in the area near Exit 82 on I-26, the campuses of both Mid-Carolina High School and Mid-Carolina Middle School were placed on lockdown, according to the release. Additionally, Prosperity Richard School was placed on alert, the sheriff’s office said.
The lockdown lasted less than 30 minutes, according to the sheriff’s office.
“This was an isolated incident and the public is no longer in danger,” Sheriff Lee Foster said in the release.
Foster also complimented several civilians that witnessed the situation.
There was no word about a motive for the shooting, but it continues to be investigated by the sheriff’s office and coroner’s office. An autopsy will be performed this week, Kneece said.
Investigators with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s crime scene unit as well as Probation, Parole and Pardon agents and Newberry City Police officers were at the scene and assisted with the investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
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This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 12:46 PM with the headline "Woman killed in I-26 shooting identified and gunman arrested, SC officials say."
