HINESVILLE WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED IN HER CAR: Police Say Victim Knew Her Attacker
HINESVILLE, Ga. (July 16, 2025) — A young woman’s life was cut short in a chilling act of violence Tuesday night in Hinesville, Georgia. Police confirm that 27-year-old Kretia Clancy was found shot inside a car near Strickland Road and E.G. Miles Parkway, and later died from her injuries during emergency surgery.
The shooting is being investigated as a homicide, and authorities believe Clancy and the shooter knew each other, casting the tragedy in a deeply personal light.
“She Didn’t Deserve This”: A City Mourns
Around 9:00 p.m., officers from the Hinesville Police Department responded to reports of a person found unconscious in a vehicle near a wooded roadside. Inside, they discovered Clancy gravely wounded, suffering from a gunshot wound to her back.
Emergency medical crews rushed her to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, where surgeons worked to save her life. But the trauma was too severe. Clancy was pronounced dead during surgery, leaving behind grieving family and friends.
“She had a light inside her,” said Tasha Clancy, an older cousin speaking outside the family home. “Kretia was the one who checked on everyone. She didn’t deserve this. Nobody deserves this.”
Clancy’s sudden death has shaken her tight-knit community, where friends remember her as kind, bubbly, and deeply loyal.
“She was full of love, always smiling, always encouraging,” said close friend Danielle Morton. “It’s hard to believe someone would want to hurt her like this.”
Police: Victim and Suspect Had a Connection
In a Wednesday morning press conference, Hinesville Police Chief Lloyd Slater addressed the public, confirming the incident is being treated as a targeted attack.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” Slater said. “There is strong evidence that the victim and the suspect knew one another. At this time, we are actively following leads and working to identify the individual responsible.”
Police have not released the identity of any suspect, nor a motive. No arrests have been made as of Wednesday afternoon, but authorities say they are making progress.
Detectives are canvassing the area for witnesses and security camera footage. They are especially interested in any activity observed near the intersection of Strickland Road and E.G. Miles Parkway between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
A Sudden Loss, a Long Road Ahead
As news of Clancy’s death spread, tributes poured in across social media. Her Facebook profile, once filled with selfies and affirmations, has now become a memorial.
“My heart is shattered,” wrote one friend. “You were just here, just laughing with me. I can’t believe I’m saying goodbye.”
Another post read: “Say her name. Kretia Clancy. She was real, she mattered, and she deserves justice.”
The Liberty County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an autopsy is scheduled in the coming days. Authorities are also working to notify extended family and coordinate funeral arrangements.
Community Demands Justice
This killing has reignited conversations about domestic-related violence and personal safety, especially among women in the area.
“This is a woman who was sitting in a car — a place we all feel safe. And now she’s gone,” said Shanice Lowe, a local women’s advocate. “We want answers, but more than anything, we want accountability.”
Community leaders have urged residents to remain calm but vigilant. Police are asking anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward.
“If you saw something, heard something, or know something — now is the time to speak,” said Chief Slater.
Tips can be submitted directly to the Hinesville Police Department at (912) 368-8211 or anonymously through Liberty County Crime Stoppers.
Kretia Clancy’s life ended far too soon — a tragedy echoing through the hearts of her loved ones and a city still searching for answers.