Officer killed in shooting at Richland Mall, suspect in custody

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COLUMBIA, SC ( WOLO ) — A seven year veteran with the Forest Acres Police Department was killed during an altercation at Richland Mall in Forest Acres Wednesday morning. Officer Greg Alia, 32, was shot and killed. Alia was married with a young son. A GoFundMe page ‘ Greg Alia Memorial Fund’ (https://www.gofundme.com/rw5b9wbc) has reached nearly $5,000 in donations. According to South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Jarvis Hall, 34, is charged with Murder and Possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Authorities say Hall was armed with a stolen hand gun and knife when the shooting occurred. Officials with the Richland Mall say the mall remains closed while authorities continue their investigation. Lt. Curtis Wilson with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department told ABC Columbia that just after 8 am police received a call about a suspicious person inside the Old Richland Mall. Forest Acres is the lead investigators, Richland, Columbia and SLED are assisting. Both Forest Acres Police and Columbia Police were on the scene. Nearby A.C. Flora High School was locked down briefly after the report of the shooting. The lockdown was lifted at 9 a.m. ABC Columbia’s Beth Rousseau was at the news conference. Follow her on twitter for the latest details. Stay with ABC Columbia News as we bring you the latest information as it becomes available. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe