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Pregnant woman killed, baby critical following Sumter County shooting; deputies still searching for killer

Authorities believe the suspect, Troy Wells, knew the victim was pregnant when he opened fire on a vehicle she was in. Another person was also wounded.

SUMTER COUNTY, S.C. — Deputies say a baby in Sumter County survived delivery but is in critical condition after the mother was shot several times and killed on Saturday morning.

Sumter County Sheriff's Office investigators say the shooting happened in the 1700 block of North Main Street around 6 a.m. Authorities said the suspected shooter, 44-year-old Troy Cornelius Wells, was waiting for the woman and another victim at a motel where they were staying. Investigators believe Wells fired numerous rounds into their vehicle, striking both.

One victim, later identified as 33-year-old Jennifer Marie Cruz of Sumter, died of her wounds. In a later update, the sheriff's office confirmed that Cruz was 35 weeks pregnant when she was killed. The baby was able to survive delivery but, at last check, was in critical condition, the sheriff's office said.

The other victim suffered what police said weren't life-threatening wounds.

An autopsy for Cruz is scheduled for Monday at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. The surviving victim has not been publicly identified.

Sheriff Anthony Dennis described the killing as "heinous and cold-blooded, adding that investigators believe Wells knew the woman was pregnant.

The search continues for Wells, who investigators described as about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 179 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators said Wells should be considered armed and dangerous. The sheriff's office urges anyone who sees Wells to call 911 or Investigator E. Boland at 803-436-2009.

Authorities said more information would be released as it became available.

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