CPD: No charges filed in connection with 4-year-old child’s death
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Columbia Police has completed its investigation into the fatal shooting of a child on Christmas Eve in Harbison last year, says the dept.
Columbia Police Department’s (CPD) Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) investigators have determined there is insufficient evidence of a criminal violation.
During the investigation, CPD officers reviewed surveillance video, and evidence gathered at the scene.
Additionally, law enforcement interviewed witnesses and 4-year-old Jah’el Walker’s family members.
Columbia PD says after a review of the facts and circumstances of the case, it has been determined that criminal charges are not applicable.
The investigation determined that the adult caregiver was not engaged in any illegal activity at the time of the incident and under current state law; the firearm was not required to be stored in a secure area within the vehicle.
Other determining factors:
- No evidence of underlying criminal activity
- The child’s mother and father are lawful gun owners
- The gun is normally unloaded and stored in the vehicle’s console with the magazine
in a separate location - That there was a lack of communication between parents regarding new location of
loaded gun
