Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008

Female suspect sought in violent home invasion

A woman shoved her way into a Battleford Road apartment Friday, pistol-whipped a woman, struggled with the woman’s male roommate and fired several shots, Richland County sheriff’s deputies said.

Anita Renia Jones-Bell, 30, is wanted on charges of first-degree burglary, assault and battery with intent to kill, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, sheriff’s spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Myers said.

Jones-Bell is alleged to have knocked on the apartment door, attacked the woman who answered, then kicked open a bedroom door and struggled with the man, opening fire, deputies said.

The man, who was acquainted with the alleged shooter, escaped out a window and flagged down a deputy.

His female roommate pretended she was unconscious until Jones-Bell fled on foot, deputies said.

EMS treated both victims at the scene of the 6:30 a.m. invasion.

It’s unclear what prompted the attack.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers at (888) CRIME-SC.

— Lee Higgins