Dillon County elementary school principal shot, killed over weekend, sheriff confirms

DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) – A Dillon County elementary school principal was the victim of a shooting over the weekend, according to the Dillon County sheriff.

Sheriff Douglas Pernell said deputies were called Saturday night to the 1800 block of Southwind Road in Dillon, where they found a woman dead inside a car.

Dillon County Coroner Donnie Grimsley identified the victim as 54-year-old Wendy Cook from Dillion County. He said that she died of a gunshot wound.

Pernell said that Cook was the principal of Stewart Heights Elementary School. The Dillon County School District put a memorial on its website on Monday.

Deputies arrested Kyle Church in connection with Cook’s shooting death at the scene on Saturday.

He is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Pernell said Church and Cook were acquaintances.

Church is being held at the Dillon County Detention Center.

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