USC Student Fights for Life, Suspect Denied Bond

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — Once again the Columbia Police Department is under public scrutiny for crime in Five Points. 

“We’re talking about a very unique location, a hospitality location in the city that’s popular,” says Interim Police Chief Ruben Santiago, Columbia Police Department. 

The area has seen its share of violent crime with shootings, stabbings and assaults reported. Police have increased patrols and surveillance cameras. 

This past Sunday, police arrested 21 year old Michael Juan Smith in connection to a shooting that, authorities say, critically injured a University of South Carolina student. 

“We gotta send a message to these street thugs that this is not going to be tolerated,” says Santiago.

According to an incident report obtained by ABC Columbia News, the 18 year old, unidentified female victim was standing at the fountain in Five Points waiting for a taxi when she was struck by a bullet in the right side of her rib cage. 

The report says, she immediately fell to the ground. 

Police says the shooter, Smith, allegedly tried to flee and when he was caught the incident report states he said, “I’m sorry I did not mean to shoot.” 

A check of Smith’s criminal record landed a laundry list of charges, including Burglary 1st and 2nd degree and Grand Larceny. 

And even with his most recent arrest, police say the case is not closed. 

“We’re looking at why was he there? Where did he get the weapon? Who might have helped him and what can we do to prevent this?,” says Santiago. 

We’ve also learned Smith served time in the South Carolina Department of Corrections system from April 2012- February 2013 of this year under the “Youth Offender Program.”

The Columbia Police Department also reports Smith’s bond was denied Monday.