South Carolina woman fatally shot, set on fire after puppy sale ambush

Dana Kinlaw was lured to a rural road by three suspects who allegedly killed her in retaliation for a previous murder

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 40-year-old South Carolina woman named Dana Kinlaw was fatally shot and then set on fire inside a car on the side of a rural road after being ambushed by three suspects - Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, Daquinn Taheen Thomas, and Nikko Christopher Carraway. Authorities believe the murder was in retaliation for a previous killing in a neighboring county that involved Kinlaw's son.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of online transactions and the need for increased safety measures when meeting strangers to buy or sell items. It also raises concerns about the cycle of retaliatory violence and the impact it can have on innocent victims.

The details

According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Kinlaw believed she was meeting Fleming to buy a puppy, but it was allegedly a setup. Fleming and Thomas are accused of luring Kinlaw to a remote area, where they fatally shot her and then set her body on fire inside the car. Carraway was also charged in the crime. Authorities said the murder was related to a previous killing in a neighboring county that involved Kinlaw's son.

  • On January 22, 2026, Kinlaw was killed on a rural road in Effingham, South Carolina.
  • Iryanna Jarissa Fleming and Daquinn Taheen Thomas were arrested hours after Kinlaw's death.
  • Nikko Christopher Carraway was arrested on January 28, 2026.

The players

Dana Kinlaw

A 40-year-old South Carolina woman who was killed in an ambush while believing she was meeting to buy a puppy.

Iryanna Jarissa Fleming

A 19-year-old suspect who allegedly rode with Kinlaw to the remote location where she was killed.

Daquinn Taheen Thomas

A 31-year-old suspect who was charged with murder, arson, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.

Nikko Christopher Carraway

A suspect who was arrested on January 28, 2026 and charged with the same crimes as Fleming and Thomas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We believe there was a murder committed in Darlington County, which we made the arrest in Lake City that connects them to that arrest with Darlington County officials. We feel that her son was involved in that in some way, shape, or form, and we feel this is a retaliation to that murder.”

— TJ Joye, Florence County Sheriff

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Iryanna Jarissa Fleming, Daquinn Taheen Thomas, and Nikko Christopher Carraway out on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for increased safety measures when conducting online transactions, as well as the devastating impact of retaliatory violence. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of addressing the root causes of such crimes to prevent future tragedies.