SUMTER, S.C. — Sumter County deputies said they've arrested a man accused of shooting and killing a pregnant Sumter woman that led to her baby being delivered by emergency C-section.
Sumter deputies said late Friday afternoon that 44-year-old Troy Cornelius Wells surrendered to Sheriff Anthony Dennis, ending a nearly week-long manhunt. Wells will be charged with murder in the death of 33-year-old Jennifer Cruz.
Cruz was about 35 weeks pregnant. Her child remains in critical condition at Prisma Richland’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after being delivered by emergency C-Section.
Deputies said on March 28, Wells waited for the victims at the entrance of the Royal Inn Motel on North Main Street. Investigators said he ambushed Cruz and a friend as they were arriving at the location, shooting into the car and running alongside it, firing as he pursued the vehicle.
The driver of the car was also wounded.
According to deputies, Wells was in a relationship with Cruz, and they had been staying together at another local motel.
“I say this was ‘cold-blooded’ because it was premeditated. Wells lay in wait for the victims, and he knew Cruz was pregnant,” said Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis in a statement. "We believe he intended to not only kill both occupants of the car but the unborn child as well."