Three Arrested in South Carolina Woman's Ambush Killing

Dana Marie Kinlaw was lured to a rural road and fatally shot, then set on fire, in an alleged retaliation murder.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A 40-year-old woman in South Carolina was ambushed by three people - Iryanna Jarisaa Fleming, Daquinn Taheen Thomas, and Nikko Christopher Carraway - who fatally shot her and set her body on fire when she believed she was attending a meeting to buy a puppy. Authorities believe the murder was in retaliation for a recent killing involving Kinlaw's son in a nearby county.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of online meetups and the potential for violence when criminals exploit innocent people. It also raises questions about the cycle of retaliation killings and how law enforcement can better address these types of interconnected crimes.

The details

According to the Florence County Sheriff's Office, Kinlaw was lured to a rural road in Effingham, South Carolina, on January 22 under the pretense of buying a puppy. However, she was allegedly ambushed by Fleming, Thomas, and Carraway, who fatally shot her and then set her body on fire inside her car. Authorities believe the murder was in retaliation for a recent killing in nearby Darlington County that involved Kinlaw's son, though details on that case have not been released.

  • On January 22, Kinlaw was killed on a rural road in Effingham, South Carolina.
  • Just hours after Kinlaw's body was discovered, Fleming and Thomas were arrested and charged.
  • Carraway was arrested on January 28 and charged with the same crimes as Fleming and Thomas.

The players

Dana Marie Kinlaw

A 40-year-old woman who was fatally shot and set on fire in an alleged retaliation murder.

Iryanna Jarisaa Fleming

A 19-year-old woman who was arrested and charged with Kinlaw's murder, first-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Daquinn Taheen Thomas

A 31-year-old man who was arrested and charged with Kinlaw's murder, first-degree arson, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Nikko Christopher Carraway

A man who was arrested on January 28 and charged with the same crimes as Fleming and Thomas in Kinlaw's murder.

TJ Joye

The Florence County Sheriff who provided details about the case to the media.

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What they’re saying

“Supposedly, they went there together. Miss Fleming, she was 19 years of age, a friend of Miss Kinlaw, and they rode there together supposedly to buy a puppy.”

— TJ Joye, Florence County Sheriff

“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 will decide on bond for the three suspects, who are currently being held without bond at the Florence County Detention Center.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the dangers of online meetups and the potential for violence when criminals exploit innocent people. It also raises concerns about the cycle of retaliation killings and the need for law enforcement to better address interconnected crimes across jurisdictions.