Charleston County Coroner identified a North Charleston woman found shot to death inside a vehicle in West Ashley early Saturday morning.

Ashlyn Burkett, 28, died at the scene on Tripe Street just before 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the Charleston County Coroner’s Office. Charleston Police officers responded to the shooting and found Burkett’s body inside the vehicle.

The shooting marks another violent incident in Charleston County, where officials have tracked rising concerns about public safety amid other pressing municipal issues. The Charleston Police Department has not released details about potential suspects or motives in Burkett’s death.

Tripe Street sits in a mixed residential and commercial area of West Ashley, roughly three miles from downtown Charleston. The location has seen periodic police activity, though violent crimes remain relatively uncommon in that specific corridor.

Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal’s office confirmed Burkett’s identity Monday following standard identification procedures. The coroner has not released additional details about the manner of death or autopsy findings.

“The investigation remains active and ongoing,” a Charleston Police Department spokesperson said. “We are working to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic incident.”

Burkett lived in North Charleston, making her death a cross-jurisdictional matter within Charleston County. North Charleston Police said they are cooperating with Charleston Police in the investigation.

The timing of the shooting—just before 1 a.m. on a Saturday—suggests Burkett may have been traveling through the area during typical weekend nightlife hours. West Ashley connects downtown Charleston to several entertainment districts and residential areas.

Charleston Police have not indicated whether they believe the shooting was random or targeted. The department also has not released information about potential witnesses or surveillance footage from the area.

The investigation comes as Charleston area law enforcement agencies continue managing various public safety challenges alongside Politics & Government officials who oversee municipal budgets and resource allocation.

Burkett’s death represents the latest homicide case for Charleston Police, who handle violent crime investigations within city limits. The department typically coordinates with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office on such cases.

West Ashley residents expressed concern about the shooting through social media posts and neighborhood group discussions. The area generally maintains lower crime rates compared to some other Charleston neighborhoods.

“Any time we have a violent incident like this, it affects the entire community,” said one West Ashley resident who asked not to be named. “We want to know what happened and whether we need to be concerned about our safety.”

Charleston Police have not announced any arrests in connection with Burkett’s death. The department typically releases limited information during active homicide investigations to avoid compromising evidence or witness testimony.

The coroner’s office will conduct a full autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death, though officials have already confirmed the death resulted from gunshot wounds. Toxicology results typically take several weeks to complete.

Burkett’s family has not released public statements about her death. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office said next of kin have been notified.

Tripe Street remained open to traffic following the initial police response Saturday morning. Charleston Police crime scene investigators processed the scene for several hours before clearing the area.

The shooting occurred during a weekend that saw typical activity levels across Charleston’s entertainment districts. Police have not indicated whether Burkett had been at any local establishments before her death.

Charleston Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact the department’s detective division at 843-743-7200. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 843-554-1111.

The investigation continues as police work to piece together Burkett’s final hours and identify potential suspects. Charleston Police said they plan to release additional information as the investigation progresses and circumstances allow.

This case represents ongoing challenges for local law enforcement agencies managing violent crime investigations while maintaining community trust and transparency about public safety issues.