On a quiet Saturday evening in Richland County, South Carolina, a neighborhood off Bluff Road became the scene of a devastating tragedy that would end the life of a woman named Nisaha Blanco and lead to the arrest of a 37-year-old man, Dexter Fuller, now facing charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The shooting occurred in the 4300 block of Candlelite Drive—a street typically characterized by its residential calm and community familiarity. On that night, however, the silence was broken by gunfire and the emergency response that followed.

This incident has raised critical questions about domestic conflict, community safety, and law enforcement response to acts of sudden interpersonal violence. Authorities say that preliminary findings suggest the fatal shooting followed a dispute involving family members, culminating in a confrontation between Fuller and Blanco, who was found lying near a vehicle at the scene.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), the primary agency tasked with investigating the case, received the emergency call just after dusk. Deputies arrived to find Blanco suffering from gunshot wounds and unresponsive. In the critical minutes before paramedics reached the location, deputies attempted to revive her using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), working against fading daylight and mounting urgency. Despite their efforts and immediate hospital transport, Blanco was pronounced dead from her injuries.

Authorities initially launched a search for the shooter, having no suspect in custody in the moments after arrival. The intensity of the investigation escalated quickly. In an area not unfamiliar with isolated incidents of gun violence, deputies had to move decisively yet carefully. Witness accounts, physical evidence, and digital forensics began to piece together a timeline. At some point during the process, the identity of the suspected shooter became clear: 37-year-old Dexter Fuller.

Fuller’s role in the events that led to Blanco’s death is now central to the case. Deputies reported that he left the scene immediately after the shooting, triggering an area-wide manhunt. But in an unexpected turn, Fuller returned to the scene—possibly to retrieve something, confront family, or perhaps face the consequences of his actions. Deputies arrested him upon his return, and he was booked on charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. No other suspects have been identified, and law enforcement has not indicated whether additional charges will be forthcoming.

The motive, while still under investigation, appears to revolve around a domestic or familial conflict. Officials have been clear that this was not a random act of violence, nor was it connected to gang activity or wider criminal enterprise. The precise nature of the argument that led to Blanco’s death remains a focal point of investigation.

What makes this tragedy particularly devastating for the Richland County community is its setting—a family environment that imploded into bloodshed. Candlelite Drive is a place where neighbors recognize one another, where front yards serve as social gathering spots and homes are lived in for decades. Saturday’s events shattered that familiarity, replacing it with grief, fear, and an overwhelming sense of loss.

The RCSD has not released further details about Blanco’s background, but her identification was confirmed soon after the incident. What is known is that she became the face of the latest instance of domestic conflict turning deadly—an issue that has long plagued communities in South Carolina and across the country.

According to data from the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), the state has ranked consistently among the highest in the nation for women killed by men in domestic settings. The U.S. Violence Policy Center has similarly documented that women in South Carolina are more likely than in many other states to die at the hands of someone they know, often during arguments that escalate uncontrollably.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has long been active in working to reduce such incidents. The department has a specialized unit that handles domestic violence cases, and deputies are trained to recognize high-risk indicators such as repeated arguments, the presence of weapons, and past incidents of aggression. Whether any of these factors were present in Fuller’s background has not been disclosed. His criminal history, if any, remains under review by prosecutors and detectives.

Sheriff’s Department spokespersons have confirmed that no other injuries were reported at the scene. However, officials have also noted that trauma extends beyond physical harm. Witnesses, family members, and responding officers are all affected by events like this. The emotional toll is considerable—especially for those who attempted to render aid in the immediate aftermath.

While no timeline has been given for the next steps in Fuller’s legal proceedings, it is expected that a bond hearing will be scheduled soon. Prosecutors may seek to deny bail, citing the severity of the charges and potential risk to the community. Fuller’s return to the scene after the shooting could complicate legal arguments for intent and mental state—factors that will be pivotal during any future trial.

The scene on Candlelite Drive has now returned to its former state, at least superficially. The yellow police tape is gone, and the street no longer echoes with sirens. But for those who live there, especially those who knew Blanco, the wounds are far from healed.

In communities like Richland County, the suddenness of gun violence—particularly when it arises from family conflict—carries with it a complex legacy. It forces questions about warning signs missed, about the effectiveness of intervention systems, and about what can be done to prevent tragedies like this from recurring. It also lays bare the stark emotional realities faced by survivors: the guilt of those who saw tensions mounting, the shock of those who witnessed the aftermath, and the heartbreak of families who must now bury a loved one whose death they never anticipated.

As of this writing, the RCSD continues to urge the public to come forward with any information. Even though Fuller is in custody, understanding the full scope of events is essential not just for the case but for the community’s healing. Anyone who heard or saw anything on the evening of the shooting is encouraged to contact the department’s tip line.

The case has not yet captured major national headlines, but within South Carolina, it has reignited conversations about domestic violence, conflict resolution, and community safety. It has also spotlighted the difficult work law enforcement faces in responding to real-time violence—making split-second decisions, preserving evidence, and securing justice while dealing with the chaos and trauma that always follows a fatal shooting.

For now, the focus remains on honoring the life lost and ensuring a thorough legal process for the life that now stands accused. Nisaha Blanco’s name joins a long and tragic list of women killed in domestic conflicts in America—each one a painful reminder that the lines between argument and tragedy can be perilously thin.

And Dexter Fuller now waits behind bars, charged not just with pulling a trigger, but with upending the lives of everyone around him in an irreversible act of violence.