Columbia man sentenced in connection with Lexington Co. murder

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– A 27-year-old Columbia man was sentenced to 54 years in prison following his conviction in Lexington County for murder and attempted murder, say officials.

A judge sentenced Chendric J. Brown on the murder charge with 30 years concurrent on the attempted murder charge.

Brown is not eligible for parole under South Carolina law.

He was convicted of the murder of 22-year-old Harold L. Peak III, who was shot in the Princeton Road area of Lexington County on September 24, 2022.

Brown’s trial began on January 5, 2026, and concluded on January 14, 2026, when a Lexington County jury returned its verdict.

The case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard and Deputy Solicitor Suzanne Mayes.

Evidence presented at trial established that Brown drove to the front of an abandoned house on Princeton Road on the night of September 24, 2022.

Peak and another man were known to be at a nearby residence, according to law enforcement.

Also, evidence established that Brown and an accomplice waited by the roadside for Peak to leave the home and then opened fire with a 7.62 assault rifle on the red Kia Soul in which Peak was a passenger.

Peak was hit by gunfire, and the driver of the vehicle was also hit and survived his injuries.

Also, a neighbor’s home across the street on Princeton Road was struck by gunfire too from the 7.62 weapon while people were present inside.

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department pursued many leads which led to Brown being developed as a suspect in the case, say officials.

Investigators say there was video evidence linking Brown to the shooting.

As well as text messages found to be sent by Brown to an accomplice on the night of the murder.

Additionally, there was testimony that established Brown was seeking information as to Peak’s location and that Brown expressed anger towards Peak.

Brown was taken to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of the sentence.