Breanna Bates, 25, was killed in Newberry, South Carolina, on May 19, 2025. Police responded about 3:15 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 1800 block of Charles Street and found Bates with an apparent gunshot wound; an autopsy confirmed she died from those injuries. She was a resident of Newberry and a mother to a young daughter, Aislyn Williams, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators quickly arrested three local men: Keonte Montrez Caughman, 20, IJavion Cheek, 17, and IMaurion Lil Travis Cheek, 19. All three face charges including murder, three counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Authorities have not released a motive and said Bates did not appear to be the intended target; the police chief indicated the investigation is ongoing and more arrests could follow.

Family members, including her mother, Rebecca Gary, and brother, Hakeem Cunningham, describe her as a loving and devoted mother who had cared for family after earlier violence. Funeral services were held the following Saturday at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Clinton, with burial in Laurens. Did anyone in the Newberry area see or hear anything that afternoon that could help the investigation?