BEAUFORT, S.C. () — A murder suspect in the Lowcountry made a shocking admission just moments before day two of his trial Wednesday.
In a Beaufort County courtroom on Wednesday, John Patrick Shea expressed remorse to the family of Jillian Angner and admitted to committing murder. The 29-year-old was charged with the shooting death of 25-year-old Angner in March 2023.
Shea also confessed to the attempted murder of Angner’s young son, firing a gun into an occupied vehicle, and possessing a weapon while committing a violent crime.
According to the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, on March 2, 2023, Angner was leaving her home to drive her son to school when Shea began shooting at her vehicle, striking her multiple times. She was placed on life support but never regained consciousness, passing away on August 5.
Her son wasn’t injured in the shooting, officials said. He escaped by crawling out of Angner’s Jeep and hid in a nearby marsh.
The 6-year-old was later able to corroborate key details with investigators.
Angner had reported multiple instances of stalking and break-ins at her home, allegedly committed by Shea, following their breakup in fall of 2022, the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office said
He was sentenced to life in prison by Circuit Court Judge S. Bryan Doby.
“This was a calculated and deeply disturbing act of violence,” said Hunter Swanson of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, who prosecuted the case. “Today’s conviction cannot restore Jillian’s life, but it brings some measure of justice to her friends, family and young son. I hope this helps them heal.”
