Two Suspects Arrested in Connection with Charleston County Murder

News Summary

Florence County law enforcement has arrested two suspects, Jean Lesperance and Jacinda Trader, in connection with the murder of 37-year-old Janet Crouch in Charleston County. The tragic shooting on Hollywood Drive revealed a history of a romantic relationship between Lesperance and the victim. In a separate incident, a security guard was killed at Qulture Bistro, and authorities are working diligently to address the rise in violent crime linked to personal disputes in the area.

Florence County, South Carolina – Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a woman during a shooting in Charleston County. Jean Lesperance and Jacinda Trader were taken into custody with the help of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, making their arrests on Wednesday. They were subsequently booked at the Florence County Detention Center before being transferred to the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County on the same day.

The arrests come after a tragic incident on Sunday evening, when Charleston police responded to a shooting on Hollywood Drive in West Ashley just before 8 p.m. At the scene, officers found 37-year-old Janet Crouch dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Lesperance now faces charges including murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Trader has also been charged with murder for allegedly assisting Lesperance both before and after Crouch was killed. Authorities revealed that Lesperance and Crouch previously had a romantic relationship.

The investigation into this shooting is still ongoing, and both suspects remain in custody without bond. Law enforcement officials are working diligently to uncover more details surrounding the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

In a separate but equally distressing case, a security guard was killed during a violent incident at Qulture Bistro in Florence County early Saturday morning. Melvin Anthony Gibson, 39, lost his life during a shooting that occurred around 4 a.m. Inside the establishment and near the door, six other individuals were shot but fortunately sustained injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.

Authorities have arrested a primary suspect in Gibson’s murder, 40-year-old Brandon Cross, who has been charged with murder. The Florence County Sheriff, T.J. Joye, expressed alarm regarding the rise in violence in the county, asserting that many of these instances arise from personal disputes rather than random acts of violence.

In another incident, a separate shooting took place at the Red Circle Lounge, where a victim was shot in the head amid a confrontation. Tyreek Sharrod Dixon, a 24-year-old man, surrendered to authorities and faced multiple charges, including attempted murder, in relation to this incident.

In light of the escalating violence linked to personal conflicts, authorities are considering revoking the alcohol license of the Red Circle Lounge due to its troubling history of violent incidents. Sheriff Joye pointed out that alcohol and poor decision-making appear to be significant contributors to the violence in the community.

Authorities have stressed that none of the recent shootings are deemed random; all incidents stem from personal conflicts among individuals involved. Law enforcement continues to monitor the situation closely and is dedicated to ensuring community safety amid rising concerns about violent crime. As investigations proceed and more information becomes available, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.

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Additional Resources

• WPDE: Shooting in Florence
• WBTW: Man Charged with Murder
• WPDE: Man Charged in Deadly Shooting
• WMBF: Arrest Made in Nightclub Shooting
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder