13 Jun Another American Murdered by Illegal Aliens: The Case of Larisha Thompson
By,
Jesús Romero. Co-Founder & Senior Fellow, MSI²
On May 2, 2025, Larisha Sharell Thompson, a 40-year-old mother of two from Lancaster, South Carolina, was fatally shot while driving to visit friends. Her vehicle was found on Riverside Road with her body slumped behind the wheel. Authorities described the act as random, brutal, and senseless (New York Post, 2025).
Suspects and Charges
Six individuals, aged between 13 and 21, have been arrested and charged in connection with Thompson’s murder. All are reportedly undocumented immigrants from Honduras. The suspects include Asael Aminadas Torres-Chirinos (21), Jarby Ardon Ramos-Odari (18), Jeyson Sobied Pineda-Salgado (17), and three juveniles aged 13, 14, and 15. The charges against them include murder, attempted armed robbery, and second-degree burglary. Torres-Chirinos faces additional charges for possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime and possession of a firearm by an unlawful alien (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2025).
Illegal Firearm Possession: An Aggravating Crime
It is a federal offense for undocumented immigrants to possess firearms under 18 U.S. Code § 922(g)(5). Yet in this case, at least one of the accused had unlawful access to a firearm and used it in the commission of a homicide. This exposes a critical enforcement gap—not only at the border but also within the interior, where unauthorized individuals are acquiring lethal weapons.
The Thompson case exemplifies a persistent national security challenge: the intersection of illegal immigration and violent crime, particularly when access to firearms accelerates criminal behavior within unmonitored migrant enclaves or gang-affiliated youth networks.
Legal Framework and Sovereign Enforcement
The United States bears both a legal and moral responsibility to enforce immigration laws. Border security, visa integrity, and the lawful removal of undocumented individuals are not expressions of xenophobia. They are fundamental elements of national governance.
Failing to implement these responsibilities invites systemic risk—risk that is ultimately borne by communities and families like that of Larisha Thompson. Her death is not an isolated tragedy; it is a byproduct of failed deterrence, insufficient interior enforcement, and a lack of coordination among agencies tasked with protecting public safety.
This incident reflects failures in the government’s ability to:
– Secure national borders
– Prevent unauthorized entry
– Detect and disrupt organized or opportunistic criminal behavior
– Restrict unlawful access to firearms by prohibited persons
Larisha Thompson was a mother of two, working multiple jobs to support her family. Her death was preventable.
Policy Implications
This case will undoubtedly reignite national debate over the enforcement priorities of U.S. immigration and gun laws. Several critical questions arise:
– How effective are current immigration screening and detention protocols in identifying high-risk individuals?
– Are violations of firearm laws by non-citizens being prosecuted to the full extent of the law?
– Is interagency collaboration between DHS, ATF, ICE, and local law enforcement adequate to prevent future tragedies?
Public safety must remain a non-negotiable priority. Immigration policy can be compassionate, but it cannot be careless. Secure borders, lawful vetting, and removal of violent offenders are essential to preserving the rule of law and safeguarding American lives.
Legal Status Under U.S. Immigration Law
Federal law establishes the term ‘illegal alien’ as one who enters or remains in the United States without lawful status. This includes individuals who cross the border unlawfully or violate the terms of their visa. The legal basis is found in 8 U.S. Code § 1325 and 8 U.S. Code § 1227.
Redacted Summary of 8 U.S. Code § 1325(a):
Any alien who:
– Enters the United States outside a designated port of entry,
– Evades immigration inspection, or
– Uses false or misleading information to enter,
is in violation of federal law and subject to criminal prosecution.
Redacted Summary of 8 U.S. Code § 1227(a)(1)(B):
Any alien present in the United States in violation of immigration law is deportable.
Conclusion: A System That Failed Larisha
The United States failed Larisha Thompson. Her death was not the result of chance but a direct consequence of institutional failures shaped by the politicization of immigration enforcement and a willful neglect of national security responsibilities. Under the Biden administration, immigration policy has increasingly favored leniency and ideological messaging over the fundamental obligation to protect American citizens.
This failure extends beyond the executive branch. Across the country, certain judges and sanctuary jurisdictions have played a critical role in obstructing federal immigration enforcement. Court decisions have prevented law enforcement from honoring ICE detainer requests. Local governments have implemented policies that prohibit cooperation with federal authorities. As a result, individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States—and in some cases, have prior criminal histories—are allowed to remain in communities with impunity.
These judicial and political actions do not serve justice. They endanger it. When courts and jurisdictions choose to harbor individuals who violate immigration and criminal laws, they create an environment where preventable tragedies occur. Larisha Thompson’s case is one among many that illustrate the consequences of such policies.
Larisha was a hard-working mother of two. She was an American citizen who followed the law. She was murdered by individuals who had no legal right to be in this country and who should have been removed long before they had the chance to take her life.
This tragedy is not isolated. It is part of a broader failure to secure the border, enforce immigration law, and maintain the integrity of the legal system. Until the federal government, the judiciary, and local officials prioritize public safety above political agendas, American families will continue to suffer the consequences.
References
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). 8 U.S. Code § 1325 – Improper entry by alien. Cornell Law School. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1325
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). 8 U.S. Code § 1227 – Deportable aliens. Cornell Law School. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1227
Legal Information Institute. (n.d.). 18 U.S. Code § 922 – Unlawful acts. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2025, May 15). Six illegal aliens charged in brutal murder of South Carolina mother in random attempted robbery. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/15/six-illegal-aliens-charged-brutal-murder-south-carolina-mother-random-attempted
New York Post. (2025, June 2). Six migrants charged in SC mom’s murder detailed crime in eerie text messages: ‘Just the beginning’. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/06/02/us-news/six-migrants-charged-in-sc-moms-murder-detailed-crime-in-eerie-text-messages-just-the-beginning/
ABC News 4. (2025, May 13). Six arrested in death of SC woman, all wanted by immigration officials. Retrieved from https://abcnews4.com/news/crime-news/six-arrested-in-death-of-sc-woman-all-wanted-by-immigration-officials-larisha-sharell-thompson-lancaster
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute (MSI²).