SUMTER (WACH) - Sumter Police are investigating a shooting that left one woman dead Wednesday afternoon.
Police say they found Patricia Singleton, 54, lying in the front yard of her home on Council Street with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest Wednesday around 6 p.m.
Singleton was taken to a local hospital where she died.
Investigators say Singleton was shot while trying to break up a fight between a group of young people at her home. Deputy Chief Alvin Holston said the fight began with two girls who have history. Holston said the parents of the two girls allowed them to fight.
Eighteen-year-old Derek Antwan Darby has been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting.
Latoya Anthony lived a few houses away from Singleton. She said they did not see blood at first; but when they took off Singleton's shirt, they found a bullet hole on her chest.
Another long time neighbor, Linda Woods, described Singleton as a sweet, funny person who she considered a sister.
"She was a people person," Woods said. She just liked to have fun. She minds her own business. It is just a joy. She was a joyful person."
A motive for the shooting is under investigation.
Darby is being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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