By Delayna Earley
The Island News
After previously attending Whale Branch Early College High School, 17-year-old Ari’Anna Mulligan had just begun her senior year of high school at Bridges Preparatory School.
She was excited for the school year at a new school, but particularly for her senior prom.
Unfortunately, Mulligan never made it to her senior prom. Her life was cut short in a senseless shooting outside of an apartment complex in Burton on Sunday, Sept. 15.
More gun violence in an area that already sees way too much gun violence.
Bittersweet news
In what will have to pass for good news, two men have been arrested and charged in the shooting death of Mulligan.
Jeremiah Warren, 18, of Beaufort, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 23, while Rashod Lorenzo Williams, 18, of Grays Hill, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 20.
Both men are currently in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center and have been charged with Murder, Aggravated Breach of Peace and a felony firearms offense.
According to judicial records, neither one of the men arrested in Mulligan’s death have a prior record.
Mulligan was one of three juveniles who were shot outside of Magnolia Park Apartments off Laurel Bay Road on Sept. 15. Beaufort County deputies arrived on the scene around 10 p.m. in response to multiple reports of shots fired where they found the three juveniles in the in the parking lot who had been shot.
Mulligan was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital before being airlifted to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. She died in flight to MUSC after going into cardiac arrest.
Mulligan’s brother, who was one of the other two gunshot victims, was hospitalized for his wounds.
Master Sgt. Danny Allen, spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, said that this is still an active investigation, and he expects for there to be additional arrests made in this case as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information regarding the Sept. 15 shooting is asked to call investigator Master Sgt. Duncan at 843-255-3418 or submit a tip online at bsco.net.
Ari’Anna’s ‘senior prom experience’
A memorial was held for Mulligan at Bridges Preparatory School on Monday, Sept. 23, where members of her family, friends and school faculty spoke about her and then released pink balloons in her memory.
“This young lady walked into our hallways and never missed a beat,” Bridges Preparatory School principal Daniel Tooman said during the memorial. “Unfortunately, it’s a tragic event anytime we lose one of our loved ones, a member of our family. …She is in good hands looking down upon us now as we celebrate her life.”
Mulligan couldn’t wait for her senior prom.
Trevon Bridges, originally of St. Helena but now living in Georgia, is the owner of a company called The Mortuary Mogul who works with families to create unique “celebration of life” funeral experiences and burial dresses. He is also a family friend of Mulligan’s mother and is helping organize her celebration of life event.
“We are giving [Ari’Anna] the experience that she deserves and has always wanted,” Bridges said. “She said she always wanted to be Princess Tiana for her senior prom and we’re making it happen! This will be her senior prom experience.”
Princess Tiana is one of the main characters in the 2009 animated Disney movie The Princess and The Frog.
The viewing will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Serenity Mortuary – Historic Beaufort Chapel in Beaufort.
Bridges is working with Mulligan’s family to create a Princess Tiana themed prom dress for her to wear for her viewing and celebration of life. The dress that Bridges is making is based on inspiration photos and designs.
He said that she will also be wearing a tiara, and someone is making her special tennis shoes to match the dress for her to wear as well.
“When we first posted on social media about her celebration of life, members of the community began to reach out to contribute money to help pay for her dress and celebration,” Bridges said.
“Ari’Anna’s Prom: The Send Off” celebration of life service will be held at noon on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Friendship Holiness Church in Seabrook.
Bridges said family has asked for attendees to wear semi-formal attire in shades of pink and yellow in honor of Ari’Anna.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
