Aspiring Teacher Murdered in Her Sleep by Career Criminal During South Carolina Break-In

Logan Federico, 22, of Waxhaw, N.C., was sleeping when a “career criminal” broke in and shot her to death, cops say.

A 22-year-old college student from North Carolina was fatally shot in her sleep by a repeat offender during a break-in at a rental home in Columbia, South Carolina, on May 3. The victim, Logan Federico, had been visiting friends when she was killed in what police described as a senseless and tragic act of violence.

Logan Federico, a South Piedmont Community College student and aspiring teacher, was staying at a rental property when the suspect, Alexander Dickey, 30, allegedly broke in during the night, stole her credit cards, and shot her while she was asleep. According to Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook, Logan was a “true victim” who posed no threat and had no confrontation with her killer.

Logan worked two jobs while attending community college and had plans to transfer to the College of Charleston after visiting the city.

Federico had been planning to transfer to the College of Charleston to pursue a degree in education. Her father, Stephen Federico, described her as a loving, driven young woman known for her warm personality, love of animals, dedication to hard work, and deep admiration for singer Taylor Swift.

“She was strong-willed from the start,” her father said. “She loved people and always drew in the right kind — the ones who needed hope.”

Alexander Dickey allegedly broke into the rental home and opened fire on Logan after stealing from the house.

Dickey, described as a "career criminal" with 40 previous charges, including robbery, grand larceny, and resisting arrest, allegedly used a stolen firearm to commit the crime. The next day, he reportedly went on a shopping spree using Logan’s credit cards. Authorities tracked him down after he was spotted emerging from the woods, stealing a car, and driving to a residence in Gaston.

Columbia Police arrested him shortly thereafter. He now faces multiple charges, including murder, burglary, weapons possession, and credit card theft. He is expected to appear before the Columbia Municipal Court on Tuesday.

“She was strong-willed from the start,” Logan’s heartbroken father Stephen Federico said

Logan’s final text message was to her employer, Jeff Reed, at a bar in Charlotte where she worked two jobs to support her studies. Reed, who described her as family, said she had told him “I love you” during her last shift. In her honor, his bar is introducing a signature cocktail named “The Queen,” one of Logan’s favorite nicknames for her managers. Proceeds will go to her family.

Logan is survived by her father, mother, and brother. At a press conference, her father delivered a moving message to the man accused of killing his daughter: “You can’t kill my spirit. You might be able to kill my body, but you cannot kill the love my family and friends shared with me.”

The tragedy has sparked outrage and renewed conversations around violent crime, recidivism, and the failure of the justice system to keep repeat offenders off the streets.