Girlfriend of Rock Hill woman killed in shooting now charged with murder in her death (2024)

ROCK HILL— Police elevated the charges for a Lancaster woman who drove her friend to a confrontation that turned deadly June 19.

Rock Hill police on June 20 charged Brittany Reed, 32, with murder in the death of Samarian Lindsay, 39, of Rock Hill.

Detectives said Reed brought a gun to Lindsay, who brandished it when the two of them stopped Lindsay's co-worker in traffic.

Reed told police "she brought the gun to give to the decedent after being asked to do so knowing it would be used to confront the male," the department wrote in a statement.

The shooting was preceded by an altercation between Lindsay and a co-worker at their workplace in the vicinity of the Riverwalk Business Plaza. When the man drove away from the business, Reed and Lindsay drove to block himoff in traffic atRiverwalk Parkway near Cel-River Road, police said. Reed was driving the car, police said, and Lindsay stepped out to confront the man.

"Reed was aware at the time of doing this that a felony act would likely be committed that could result in the death of another person," the report states.

Lindsay, brandishing a handgun, approached the passenger side of the man's car, police said. That's when the man pulled out his own gun and fired, striking Lindsay, police said. She was pronounced dead at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill.

Police described Reed and Lindsay as girlfriends.

Reed had been initially charged with assault and battery for punching the man.

Detectives said the factors in theshooting point to self-defense and did not charge the man who shot Lindsay. Instead, Reed is the one facing the murder charge.

"This charge is based on case law that has occurred in similar cases in various states," police said in a statement. "The final determination was made in consult with the York County Solicitor’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office."