Andy Locklair, a spokesman for the Darlington County Sheriff's Office says Thursday night's shooting was a murder-suicide.
Locklair said Crystal Strickland, 30, was shot in the head just before 8:00 p.m. in the parking lot of a convenience store near Billy Farrow Highway and Highway 52.
Detectives say they learned that Strickland's boyfriend, Jamie Williamson, 29, of Darlington, had shot Strickland as the two had been arguing over domestic issues. They say Williamson told his friends he had killed Strickland and was going to kill himself when police showed up to arrest him.
Darlington County sent its Special Response Team to Williamson's home on Floyd's Rd, but a search revealed that Williamson was not there. They began to search the area around the home and as they got close to Williamson, they say he shot himself.
In a written statement released Friday, Sheriff Wayne Byrd said, "This was a very sad ordeal, and a great loss for two families. To have life end this way for these young people is a terrible tragedy. My thoughts and prayer are with them at this time."
Byrd says Williamson and Strickland had children together. They were not married and were estranged.
