2nd person killed in Lancaster in as many days

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C.,None — "There are a lot of good people in Lancaster. It's just a few that choose to act this way," said police chief Harlean Howard.

Some neighbors said Thursday that they live in fear after another homicide early in the morning.

Cynthia Barnes, 47, known as "fruity," was found shot in her home on east Dunlap street. The family friend who found her body told Channel 9 she was in the bedroom, and the house appeared to be in order, except for that one room.

Police taped off the entire area around the small yellow house, and blocked off nearby streets for much of the day.

Sherri Hinson is a friend who lives right across the street. She saw Barnes every day.

"She was just a good friend. Never bothered anybody, never caused any trouble. I don't actually know why anyone would do this to her," she said.

Hinson didn't hear or see anything unusual overnight, but did see Barnes, who rode around on a scooter everywhere she needed to go.

"I saw her riding by, probably about 10 last night," Hinson said. "She always pulled it into the house at night so it wouldn't get stolen."

Other neighbors said Barnes would stop by their homes almost daily to chat. She was friendly, and loved by her neighbors.

"She became my neighbor about a year and a half ago, but she was more like my daughter," said Philathia wright. "We just can't believe this has happened."

Family members told Channel 9 that Barnes lived with her boyfriend who worked out of town during the week. Police have not named any suspects in the crime. The shooting could have happened during a break in, but the motive isn't clear yet.

It has been a violent week in the city of Lancaster. On Tuesday morning, Lancaster police found the body of 37-year-old Danny Clyburn Jr. outside a house on north Market Street.

Police said he was shot after an argument with long-time friend Derrick Mcilwain.  Mcilwain is charged with murder. Clyburn was a former Major League Baseball player.

Both shootings have rocked this small town. "It seems like no one respects anyone anymore, and cares nothing for someone's life, and that's sad," Wright said.

"I'll definitely be keeping my ears and eyes open for somewhere else to stay," Hinson said.

If you have any information about the death of Cynthia Barnes, call Lancaster police at 803-283-1173.

WSOC