Cowpens, SC – A 24-year-old South Carolina man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempting to murder his girlfriend after she confronted him for allegedly using her car to cheat with another woman. Prosecutors said the man fired more than 40 shots at her vehicle as she tried to drive away, striking her in the neck.
The Incident: Confrontation Turns Deadly
According to the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the shooting took place on April 17, 2023, in Cowpens, a small town in Spartanburg County. The defendant, Kelbrez Antrial Stringer, had borrowed his girlfriend’s car earlier that day while she was at work.
When she finished her shift, Stringer used her car to pick her up. During their drive home, another woman called the girlfriend, alleging that Stringer had used her vehicle to meet and cheat with her.
“A verbal argument between Stringer and his girlfriend ensued. Once they arrived in Cowpens, she had Stringer exit her vehicle so she could continue home alone,” prosecutors stated.
As the woman began to drive away, Stringer pulled out a handgun and fired at her vehicle more than 40 times, riddling the car with bullets. At least nine bullets hit the vehicle, and one struck the girlfriend in the neck, leaving her severely injured but alive.
Despite her wound, the victim managed to drive away from the scene and call 911, showing what prosecutors described as “extraordinary courage under fire.”
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene to find multiple shell casings and damage to a nearby home caused by stray bullets. The victim was transported by emergency medical personnel to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for emergency surgery.
During his initial interview, Stringer tried to mislead investigators, claiming that an “unknown person” had followed them and opened fire. However, eyewitness testimony later revealed that only one car — the victim’s — was present on the road at the time of the shooting.
Investigators also determined that Stringer was the shooter, based on ballistic evidence and witness accounts that directly contradicted his story.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Following a jury trial in Spartanburg County Circuit Court, Judge Patrick C. Fant III found Stringer guilty of the following charges:
- Attempted Murder
- Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime
- Discharging a Firearm into a Dwelling
- Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle
On Wednesday, Judge Fant sentenced Stringer to 35 years in a South Carolina state correctional facility.
Prior to this trial, Stringer had also pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon, for which he received an additional five-year sentence, to run concurrently with his 35-year term.
“The victim was brave to face her attacker in open court and fight to make sure this dangerous person would go to prison for a long time,” said Assistant Solicitor Eddie Hunter, who prosecuted the case.
Background and Criminal History
Court records show that Stringer had an extensive criminal background, including breach of peace, petit larceny, and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. His violent tendencies, prosecutors argued, escalated in the months leading up to the shooting.
The case drew attention across South Carolina due to the sheer number of gunshots fired and the domestic violence circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities emphasized that Stringer’s actions could easily have killed not only the victim but nearby residents, given that multiple homes were struck by stray bullets.
Ongoing Impact and Victim Recovery
The victim continues to recover from her physical injuries and emotional trauma. Prosecutors praised her courage both during the attack and throughout the court proceedings.
Community advocates say the case underscores the urgent need for stronger protections and resources for domestic violence victims, as well as greater awareness about warning signs in abusive relationships.
Domestic violence remains one of South Carolina’s most pressing issues, with the state ranking among the highest in the nation for intimate partner homicides, according to advocacy organizations.
Conclusion
With Kelbrez Antrial Stringer now serving a 35-year prison sentence, officials say the outcome sends a clear message that domestic violence and gun crimes will be met with maximum punishment. The victim’s bravery in surviving the attack and testifying in court was central to securing the conviction.
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