"This Was A Very Sad Ordeal"

"DARLINGTON, SC — The shooting deaths of two Darlington County residents Thursday night are being treated as a murder-suicide, according to a joint release from the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s office.

"Crystal Strickland, 30, was shot and killed in the parking lot of a convenience store, Jamie Williamson, 29, was shot and killed outside his home on Floyd’s Road, according to the release.

"`Ms. Strickland was shot to death in the parking lot of a local convenience store located just outside the city limits of Darlington. This death is being investigated as a homicide,` according to the release.

"`From all indications thus far it is believed that Mr. Williamson shot Ms. Strickland and then took his own life. Both bodies were pronounced dead at the scenes by Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee,` according to the release.

"`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,` Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd said.

"The incident started about 8 p.m. Thursday when deputies responded to the report of Strickland’s shooting. Upon arrival they found her in the parking lot, shot in the head.

"`It was reported shortly after, that the victim’s boyfriend was responsible for the killing,` according to the release.

"`Witnesses said that Jamie Williamson, (29), of Darlington, shot Strickland as the two had been arguing over domestic issues,` according to the release.

"`It was reported to investigators that Williamson told friends he shot Strickland, and was going to kill himself when law enforcement arrived to arrest him,` according to the release.

"Darlington County’s Special Response Team was sent to Williamson’s home on Floyd’s Road, according to the release.

"`When units arrived at that location, the house was searched, but Williamson was not there,` according to the release.

"As deputies searched the woods around the home and drew closer to Williamson he shot himself, according to the release.

"Williamson and Strickland shared children together and were estranged, but were not married, according to the release.

"Both bodies have been sent to Newberry for autopsies, according to the release."

From SCnow.com...