South Carolina – A South Carolina woman identified by authorities as a gang member has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison following a jury conviction for illegally possessing ammunition, closing a case tied to a late-night shooting at a local nightclub.
T. Morris, 23, was sentenced after a federal jury found her guilty on June 6, 2025, of being a felon in possession of ammunition. The conviction stemmed from an early-morning shooting that occurred nearly two years earlier.
According to evidence presented during trial and later reviewed at sentencing, the incident unfolded around 5:00 a.m. on June 11, 2023, outside a nightclub along Broad River Road in Columbia.
Prosecutors said Morris was involved in a shooting during which she possessed a loaded firearm. The gun had been purchased approximately three weeks before the incident, despite Morris being legally prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.
Investigators testified that Morris fired the weapon four times during the altercation. Four shell casings were recovered at the scene, and forensic analysis confirmed that all were fired from the same firearm. Following the gunfire, Morris fled the area before law enforcement arrived.
Authorities also presented evidence showing that, prior to the shooting, the Midlands Gang Task Force had identified Morris as a validated gang member. That designation, combined with her criminal history, played a role in the federal case against her.
Read also: Lawmakers cave to conspiracy fears, South Carolina set to follow Florida and Tennessee laws
Court records show Morris had prior convictions for strong arm robbery and bank fraud. Those convictions made it illegal under federal law for her to possess firearms or ammunition. At the time of the nightclub shooting, Morris was already serving probation related to those earlier offenses.
United States District Judge Joseph F. Anderson Jr. imposed a sentence of 46 months in federal prison. In addition to the prison term, Morris was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following her incarceration. Federal officials emphasized that there is no parole in the federal system, meaning Morris will be required to serve the full prison sentence imposed by the court.
The investigation was handled jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Federal prosecutors said the case highlights ongoing efforts to address gun violence and illegal firearm possession in the Columbia area, particularly when it involves individuals with prior felony convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lamar Fyall and Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The sentencing brings the federal proceedings to a close, marking the conclusion of a case that began with a violent early-morning shooting and ended with a jury verdict and prison sentence in federal court.
