Crime
1 killed, 6 injured after shooting outside Qulture nightclub in Florence
FLORENCE, S.C. — The Florence County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a mass shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, May 12, outside the Qulture nightclub located in the 3000 block of East Palmetto Street, which resulted in one fatality and six additional victims suffering gunshot wounds.
According to Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye, deputies responded to the scene following reports of a large disturbance that escalated into gunfire in the nightclub’s parking lot.
Preliminary information indicates that a fight broke out among individuals outside the club before shots were fired into the crowd.
Seven people were struck by gunfire during the incident. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while the remaining six victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
As of this time, the conditions of the surviving victims have not been released, and their identities have not yet been disclosed.
Authorities are working to determine the circumstances that led to the altercation and to identify those responsible.
No arrests have been made as of yet, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact their office or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee.
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.