Chief Tyndall: “This is as bad as it gets.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “This is the worst of the worst. I mean, this is as bad as it gets, you know, for someone to go in and try to sexually assault children and then tried to kill her. I mean, if he had his way she would be dead,” says Chief Dennis Tyndall of the West Columbia Police Department Tyndall is referring to an incident reported at Park Place Apartments around 3:00 a.m. Saturday. “This individual did come through the back door, the back sliding glass door, removed the screen. Once he got inside, he approached the woman and then told her what he wanted as well as the child. When she fought back, he shot her at least five times,” says Tyndall. The victim is now in critical, but stable condition. Her six year old daughter was not harmed. Meanwhile, people living nearby were shocked by the news. “I remember that night, I stay up, you lat and these cars came by and I said they’re in a hurry cause they had their lights on, said one neighbor. Even police say crime isn’t common here. The suspect is described as a black male, between 150-165 lbs, wearing blue jeans, a blue ball cap and boots. We’re also told he had some sort of dark rag covering his face. “We’re very concerned, we’re going to have increased patrols in their neighborhood until we can get some handle on this.” If you have any information, you’re asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC.