A sixth suspect has been arrested in connection with the June 25 shooting death of 10-year-old Lavinia Lowe, a Beech Island girl who was fatally struck by gunfire while asleep in her bed.
Late Thursday afternoon, investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office took Fredrick Lamar Trottie Jr., 32, of Jackson, into custody. Trottie has been charged with criminal conspiracy and is currently being held at the Aiken County Detention Center.
According to the arrest warrant, “Trottie did with 5 other co-conspirators unlawfully plan or scheme to accomplish the crime of murder by unlawful means. The defendant did this by engaging in a group text message chat that provided information of their plans, details and intentions of committing a murder.”
Background
Lavinia Lowe, known to family as “Muffin,” was killed shortly before midnight on June 25 when shots were fired into her home on Dorsett Kenzie Road. Deputies with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence at 11:49 p.m. and found the 10-year-old with a gunshot wound to the head. Life-saving measures were attempted until EMS arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:30 a.m., according to Coroner Darryl Ables.
She was a rising fifth grader at Redcliffe Elementary School and remembered by loved ones as a bright, joyful child who loved to dance and brought laughter and energy wherever she went.
Earlier this week, five individuals were arrested following an intensive investigation and a coordinated law enforcement operation across three counties. Sheriff Marty Sawyer said the shooting was carried out by “gang-banging cowards” in retaliation for a separate homicide on Sarah Street in Warrenville that occurred on June 22 — three days prior to the Lowe shooting.
Investigators determined that the intended target had not lived at the Dorsett Kenzie Road home “for over a year and a half.”
The five previously arrested are:
- Tramain Wilson, 18, of Jackson – charged with murder and criminal conspiracy
- Brandon Pollard, 17, of Augusta – charged with murder
- Ri’dauris Blocker, 18, of Edgefield – charged with criminal conspiracy
- Timothy Harris Jr., 18, of Jackson – charged with murder (currently held in Richmond County)
- Quincy Dunbar, 17, of Warrenville – charged with accessory before the fact to murder for “requesting to take part in the crime and providing one of the weapons,” according to warrants
Sheriff: “Gang-banging cowards” killed innocent child
At a Thursday morning press conference, Sheriff Marty Sawyer offered harsh condemnation of the group believed to be behind the shooting.
“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,” Sawyer said. “They attacked a house full of innocent people. The people they were targeting had not lived in that house for a year and a half.”
He continued: “Any murder is unacceptable, but the murder of an innocent child is the most depraved act possible.”
Sawyer added: “Until the community steps up and people get sick and tired of these gang bangers shooting up innocent victims, things will not change.”
Multi-Agency Operation
Trottie’s arrest follows a large-scale effort by local, state, and federal law enforcement. Four of the suspects were arrested in the early morning hours of July 30 in a coordinated operation involving search warrants executed simultaneously across five locations in Aiken, Edgefield, and Richmond counties.
“Due to this strategically planned operation, we were able to take everyone into custody without incident,” Sheriff Sawyer said. “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,” Sawyer said, “but it is one step closer to justice and accountability.”
Family Speaks Out
A family member also spoke at the press conference, expressing gratitude to law enforcement:
“My niece and nephew have struggled for the last 35 days,” she said, thanking law enforcement for bringing justice for “Muffin.”
“We had a celebration at her gravesite. I want to thank all the law enforcement who put in countless time and hours, and thank the public,” she said.
