Leads are scarce in shooting death

WALTERBORO — Investigators said Thursday that they have no true suspects in the deadly shooting of a 38-year-old mother of four earlier this week.

Adela "Nell" Pinckney was killed Monday after a shotgun blast tore through her bedroom window and headboard while she was lying in bed with her 11-year-old son about 11:20 p.m.

Colleton County Sheriff's Lt. Allen Inabinett encouraged anyone with information to call investigators.

"We still need the help of the community," he said. "Leads are coming in very slowly."

Family members said all four of her children were home at the time of the shooting but no one else was injured.

Pinckney's 21-year-old son found his mother bleeding from the head, his aunt said.

Inabinett said investigators found spent shells in the road, so it's possible the shots were fired from there, perhaps from a stopped vehicle.

It was the second time since November that someone peppered the house at 1530 Hampton St. with gunshots. Pinckney called 911 on Nov. 4 to report that someone had shot at the house as she and her children were getting ready for bed. A witness reported a black, four-door vehicle leaving the scene.

No one has been arrested in that case, but investigators determined that it was connected to a juvenile gang, according to an incident report.

Inabinett said they've found nothing to say the fatal shooting was gang-related.

Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.