Aiken County authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with the tragic shooting death of a 10-year-old Beech Island girl last month.
Lavinia Lowe was fatally shot while sleeping in her bed, with the gunfire coming from outside the home. The “gang-bangers” responsible targeted the house based on a previous shooting on June 22, Sheriff Marty Sawyer said during a Thursday morning press conference attended by Lowes’ family. But the person they were targeting had not lived at Lowes’ home for over a year and a half.
Tramain Wilson, 18, of Jackson, was charged Wednesday with murder and criminal conspiracy. Brandon Pollard, 17, of Augusta, was also charged with murder. Ri’dauris Blocker, 18, of Edgefield, was charged with criminal conspiracy. Timothy Harris Jr., 18, of Jackson, is charged with murder and held in Richmond County. Quincy Dunbar, 17, of Warrenville, is charged with accessory before the fact to murder for “requesting to take part in the crime and providing one of the weapons,” a warrant says.
A sixth person is also being sought.
“Evidence shows these gang-banging cowards fired into the residence where a 10-year-old girl slept in her bed, killing her for retaliation for (other) shooting,” the sheriff said. “They attacked a house fill of innocent people. The people they were targeting had not lived in that house for a year and a half.”
The shooting occurred late on the night of June 22. Deputies from the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at a home in the 100 block of Dorsett Kenzie Road around 11:49 p.m. Inside the residence, they found Lavinia with a gunshot wound to the head. Deputies attempted lifesaving measures until EMS arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:30 a.m., according to Coroner Darryl Ables.
Investigators believe the shots were fired from outside the home, striking Lavinia as she slept in her bed.
“Any murder is unacceptable, but the murder of an innocent child is the most depraved act possible,” Sheriff Sawyer said last month. “These families and this community should not have to endure acts like this.”
Lavinia Lowe was a rising fifth grader at Redcliffe Elementary School and was known for her joyful spirit and love of dance. Described by family as a bright and vibrant child, she was often the center of attention at gatherings, bringing energy and laughter wherever she went. She is survived by her parents, Zachary and Tambala Lowe; her siblings Ja’Mya Sims, Avah Lowe, and Zachary Dante Lowe Jr.; and a large extended family who cherished her deeply.
Funeral services for Lavinia were held earlier this month in Grovetown. Her family says they will remember her as a loving, spirited child whose light touched everyone she met.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS, FROM ACSO:
On June 22, 2025 the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office responding to Sarah St in Warrenville for a shooting death of an 18-year-old male.
3 days later on June 25, 2025 we responded to an address on Dorsett-Kenzie Rd in Beech Island resulting in the shooting death of 10-year-old Lavanie Lowe.
Our investigators have connected the two and it appears these gang banging cowards fired into the residence where this 10-year-old girl slept, killing her as a retaliation from the Sarah St shooting. They attacked a house full of innocent people. The person they were targeting had not lived at this residence in over a year.
Throughout the investigation, we committed every available resource to finding those responsible for this senseless and cowardly act of violence. After an intensive and tireless investigation by our office and other agencies that assisted us, and an unwavering commitment to justice for this innocent child I can announce the following:
- In the early morning hours of July 30, 2025 in a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies we have arrested four individuals in the tragic shooting death of 10-year-old Lavinia Lowe.
- SWAT teams and investigators from those agencies executed search warrants simultaneously at 5 different locations spanning the counties of Aiken, Edgefield, and Richmond County in Georgia. Due to this strategically planned operation, we were able to take everyone into custody without incident. We are grateful for the assistance of our local, state, and federal partners and members of the community who came forward with information. This arrest does not erase the pain felt by the family and our community but it is one step closer to justice and accountability.
Agencies involved in the investigation:
2nd Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office
Aiken County Sheriff’s Office
Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office
Aiken Department of Public Safety
North Augusta Department of Public Safety
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive ATF Rage (Anti- Regional Gang Enforcement) unit
