A fatal shooting occurred on the evening of Sunday, January 11, 2026, in the vicinity of the 6900 block of Dupont Circle in Florence, South Carolina. Deputies from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire, locating a deceased female individual inside a vehicle on Dupont Drive.
The victim has been identified as Lori Coward, age 54. The preliminary investigation indicates she sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. The suspected perpetrator, identified as her husband, 55-year-old Marty Coward of Johnsonville, South Carolina, is now in custody and faces a murder charge in connection with her death.
Authorities state the incident originated from a domestic altercation that escalated lethally. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the suspect allegedly shot the victim before attempting, unsuccessfully, to end his own life with the firearm.
Area residents reported hearing multiple gunshots, prompting a substantial and rapid law enforcement response. The scene was secured, and evidence collection and witness interviews were initiated to establish a definitive event chronology.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office has reiterated the severe and recurrent issue of domestic violence within the community, noting the particular public danger exemplified by this incident occurring near a roadway intersection.
For the victim’s family and associates, her death represents a profound and traumatic loss. As the legal proceedings advance against the detained suspect, the community mourns Lori Coward while again confronting the devastating outcomes of intimate partner violence.
