A 22-year-old was visiting friends. She was then killed in a home burglary.
A 22-year-old woman was shot and killed during a home burglary while visiting friends near the University of South Carolina on May 3, local police announced.
Logan Federico, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, returned to a rental home in Columbia, South Carolina, around 3 a.m. local time Saturday morning after a night out with friends, Columbia Police said during a press conference May 5.
Police said when she got home, Federico allegedly encountered 30-year-old Alexander Dickey, who was breaking into homes along Cypress Street, including the one where Federico was staying with friends.
Dickey allegedly shot and killed Federico, who died of a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, officials said. She had no other obvious signs of trauma.
"Logan was a true victim. She was a helpless victim. She was not an intended target," Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said during the press conference.
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Suspect allegedly set fire to home during police chase
Around 11:14 a.m. on May 3, police said they received a 911 call reporting a deceased female, followed by another call reporting a stolen vehicle, both on Cypress Street.
Dickey allegedly stole several items from homes on Cypress Street, including credit and debit cards, before driving the stolen vehicle to another neighboring county for a "shopping spree," Holbrook said.
Eventually, the stolen vehicle broke down, and Dickey had it towed to a friend's home in Gaston, South Carolina, where officers tracked him down.
Upon police arriving to the residence, Dickey fled the home and went on the run from officers. The next day, on May 4, he returned to break into the Gaston home.
When officers surrounded the home, it became engulfed in flames, and Dickey was eventually removed through a window and taken into custody, Holbrook said.
The 30-year-old was charged with a slew of crimes related to the incidents, including murder, burglary, and grand larceny. He has an extensive criminal history, Holbrook said.
"He's a true convict and he deserves to be in jail for the rest of his life," Holbrook said.
Victim loved Taylor Swift and was studying to be a teacher, father says
During the May 5 press conference, Logan Federico's father, Stephen Federico, described his daughter as "a strong, fun, loving individual."
"I am Logan Haley Federico's father, better known as 'Dad,' or her hero. Unfortunately, that day, I could not be her hero," Stephen Federico said.
Stephen Federico said his daughter was "the biggest Taylor Swift fan that I've ever seen," adding that the pair went to Swift's concert together.
He also said Logan Federico was studying to become a teacher and loved children of all ages.
"The message I want to send to Dickey, who took my daughter's life — this is from her: 'You can't kill my spirit. You might be able to kill my body, but you cannot kill my love that my family and friends shared with me,'" Stephen Federico said.
Melina Khan is a trending reporter covering national news for Paste BN. She can be reached at MKhan@gannett.com.