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SC principal found slain in car with suspect still inside, cops say

DILLON, S.C. — A South Carolina elementary school principal was shot to death early Sunday, and when police arrived, the suspected shooter remained inside her car.

Kyle Randall Church, 31, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. He remained Tuesday morning in the Dillon County Detention Center, where he was being held without bond.

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Wendy Suzanne Cook, 54, of Hamer, was pronounced dead at the scene outside a home on Southwind Road, located just outside Dillon. Public records indicate that Church’s home address on Southwind Road.

Cook, an educator for nearly 25 years, was principal of Stewart Heights Elementary School.

Dillon County Sheriff Douglas Pernell said deputies were called to the home around 3:15 a.m. Sunday to investigate a report of gunshots. According to WBTW in Myrtle Beach, they arrived to find Cook dead and Church in the car with her.

A gun was recovered from inside the vehicle, the news station reported. Cook’s death was determined to be a homicide.

Pernell told local media that Cook and Church were acquaintances, but said he could not elaborate on the nature of their relationship. Meanwhile, Cook’s family, friends, colleagues and students are mourning her loss.

Ray Rogers, superintendent for Dillon School District 4, told ABC 15 in Conway on Monday that the district had provided additional administrators and counselors to help Cook’s students, faculty and staff cope.

“Walking in the school today, you know, you just feel her presence,” Rogers said. “And this is a building. The kids came in just as quiet as they could be.”

Rogers said the school community is in disbelief over the fatal shooting.

“Knowing what a dynamic administrator she was, and dynamic person,” he said. “How she loves her kids. How she worked with the Stewart Heights family, teachers. It was just unbelievable.

“Pray for us. Because we got our hands full.”

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State Superintendent Molly Spearman said in a statement that she is saddened by Cook’s death.

“Her colleagues and friends in Dillon County School District 4 talk about the great work she did leading her school, and the many impacts she had on her students and staff,” Spearman said. “My deepest condolences are with the entire Dillon school community as they grieve this loss.”

Staff and parents remembered Cook for her kindness and love of the children at her school.

“She was a very sweet person, a very sweet young lady,” parent Cindy Campbell told WMBF in Myrtle Beach. “She always greeted us at the door, even when we came for the gatherings for the kids.

“She’s going to be missed very much.”

Cook’s obituary shows she is survived by her mother, three siblings, two children and a grandson.