NEWBERRY COUNTY, S.C. — A routine Monday afternoon turned into a nightmare on Interstate 26 when 52-year-old Rose Kewlani of West Columbia was shot and killed in what authorities are calling a tragic and senseless act of violence.
The Newberry County Coroner confirmed Kewlani’s identity as the victim, leaving her family and loved ones grappling with the sudden loss. Known by friends for her warmth and steady presence, Kewlani’s life was stolen in an instant along one of South Carolina’s busiest highways.
The accused gunman, 45-year-old Wilfrido George Luna, allegedly opened fire near Exit 82 before abandoning his vehicle and attempting to carjack a tractor-trailer. Authorities say the driver, who had no connection to the incident, managed to get away unharmed. Luna then fled on foot across the interstate toward the Mid Carolina Country Club.
What followed was a tense standoff. Staff at the golf course rushed to protect players and guests, herding them to safety as deputies and state troopers closed in. After a brief confrontation, Luna was taken into custody without further bloodshed.
Nearby schools, including Mid-Carolina High School, Mid-Carolina Middle School, and three elementary schools, were placed under lockdown as a precaution, heightening the fear and anxiety already rippling through the community. By late afternoon, students and staff were reported safe, but the unease lingered.
Authorities have yet to release a motive or confirm whether Luna and Kewlani knew one another. An autopsy is scheduled, while investigators from the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) continue piecing together the events that led to Kewlani’s death.
Sheriff Lee Foster described the shooting as both “tragic” and “senseless,” noting the quick work of first responders prevented further violence. Yet even amid reassurances, the community remains shaken.
For Kewlani’s family, the grief is immeasurable. What began as an ordinary day has ended in heartbreak, her life cut short in a moment of violence that leaves behind only questions and sorrow.
As Newberry County mourns, one truth remains painfully clear: the road ahead will be marked by healing, remembrance, and a search for justice for Rose Kewlani.