Richland Co. Sheriff Leon Lott holds press conference to address 2020 murders

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– Sheriff Leon Lott held a press conference Monday to discuss murders from the past year in Richland County. During 2020, there were 22 murder victims in Richland County, with two cases remaining unsolved. According to Lott, seven murders occurred during the month of December.

Lott said while his team is able to solve these murders, the problem they’re battling is preventing them.

Records show there were 21 murders in Richland County during 2019, one less than 2020.

Lott also took the time to address the violence so far in 2021. The sheriff says four murders are under investigation so far, less than two weeks into the new year.