Update: 18-year-old star athlete fatally shot from bullet entering boyfriend’s Conway home

Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information about the location of the shooting. The coroner’s office previously said Richburg was shot in her home. (Update: 10:20 a.m.)

A star athlete at Loris High School was fatally shot in a Conway home Tuesday.

Horry County Coroner Tamara Willard said 18-year-old Ja’Niya Richburg died after a bullet entered through a window in her boyfriend’s house on Horry Street around 11 p.m.

“Ja’Niya Richburg, a senior at Loris High School, was known for her vibrant personality as well as her outstanding achievements in both academics and athletics,” Horry County Schools Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Lisa Bourcier said in a statement.

Richburg was a Loris resident and star player on the Loris High School girls’ basketball team. She won player of the year for the 2024-25 season and, according to a February High School on Sports Illustrated poll, Richburg was the first player in the school’s history to score 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.

In a Facebook post made earlier this month, Richburg wrote about looking forward to college with her 3.7 GPA and more 17 college acceptances.

“Those who know me these last 4 years have been extremely challenging, but the support and encouragement I have received is very much appreciated!” Richburg said in the post. “I am PROUD to say this embarking journey is finally over!”

The Conway Police Department is investigating her death after responding to reports of shots fired at a residence. Richburg was found with critical injuries, a Facebook post said.

“We have received limited information regarding her passing, and we will continue to honor the family’s privacy,” said Bourcier.

Further details of the shooting were not available. The Sun News has requested the police incident report.

Richburg is the second person to die by shooting in the Horry Street neighborhood in recent weeks. V’ron Gibbs, 24, was fatally shot near Grainger Road and Marion Street around 11 p.m. on April 20, authorities said.

City of Conway spokesperson June Wood said police were investigating a possible connection, but it was too early to determine if the incidents are related.

This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 11:01 AM.