Crime
Victim killed in Sumter Walmart shooting identified as 24-year Jaquante Montgomery
Sumter, SC – Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier on Friday at the Walmart Supercenter on Broad Street.
During a press conference Friday evening, Roark confirmed that Chanceler Lowery, 19, of Sumter, was taken into custody after being turned in by his parents.
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on February 14, Sumter police officers responded to reports of an active shooter situation at Walmart Supercenter.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered one victim outside the store suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The exact location of the shooting inside the store remains unclear at this time.
Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by responding officers and bystanders, the victim—24-year-old Jaquante Montgomery—succumbed to his injuries.
Montgomery was transported to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to Sumter County Coroner Robbie Baker. Baker further stated that Montgomery had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
The victim’s next of kin has been notified, and an autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
Authorities have determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence but stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Lowery and Montgomery.
“This appears to be another tragic case of young individuals resorting to firearms to resolve conflicts,” Chief Roark stated. “Unfortunately, this is not just an issue in Sumter but a growing concern nationwide.”
The investigation remains active, and police have indicated that additional individuals may be questioned as part of ongoing interviews.
Chief Roark assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, as no further injuries were reported. However, a heightened police presence will remain in the area through Saturday morning as investigators continue their work.
“This was a devastating event that shook our community,” Roark said. “Many shoppers were inside the store during what should have been a routine trip.
The fact that this occurred on the eve of Valentine’s Day, when families were out shopping, makes it even more troubling. We take incidents like this very seriously.”
The Sumter Police Department urges anyone with additional information regarding the case to come forward.
More details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.