News

Police search for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect wanted in connection with West Columbia apartment shooting

West Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) – The West Columbia Police Department has released the name of the suspect wanted in connection with a shooting that took place at an apartment complex yesterday afternoon. Police are searching for 25-year-old Damien Lavar Ritter is wanted for murder after the incident at New Brookland Apartment complex in West Columbia. Officials describe Ritter as a…

Lexington indecent exposure arrest

  Alex Trujillo(photo: Lexington Police Dept.) Lexington (WOLO) — The Lexington Police Department arrested 25 year old David Trujillo after authorities say he exposure himself to an juvenile inside the Lexington Public Library. According to police, Trujillo was standing the book aisle when a girl reported seeing him pull down his shorts and fondle himself. Authorities say the 13 year…

“Back to the drawing board,” Gov. Henry McMaster Says After Vetoing 42 Items

  COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– Gov. Henry McMaster vetoed 42 items from the General Appropriations Act on Friday morning. McMaster says South Carolina is winning with more than 21,000 new jobs, $6 billion in new capital investment, and unemployment at its lowest since 2000. He says the General Assembly has a few provisos that don’t align with his proposed Executive Budget….

CPD Officer Charged with Burglary, Domestic Violence, Stalking

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO)–  A Columbia police officer is facing charges after being arrested Thursday. Investigators with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department say on May 13th, John Wagner forced his way into the victim’s home, shoved her several times, and stole her cell phone. After a series of escalating events, deputies say the victim reported Wagner on July 2nd. In a…

Fatal Accident on Charleston Hwy

Lexington Co., S.C. (WOLO)–The highway patrol is investigating a fatal accident on Charleston Hwy. near Minolta Dr. Troopers say around 6am Friday a tractor trailer struck a motorcycle. Investigators say the driver of the motorcycle was killed. The driver’s identity has not yet been released. No word on if any charges will be filed. Troopers say the two southbound lanes…

RCSD and CPD collect nearly 300 guns in joint effort to reduce gun violence

Richland County, S.C. (WOLO) – Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Columbia Police Department have teamed up in an effort to reduce gun violence in the Midlands and according to Sheriff Leon Lott, it’s working. At a joint news conference today Lott and CPD Chief Skip Holbrook announced that since their 60-day initiative began they’ve seized hundreds of illegal guns…

Coroner identifies victim in West Columbia apartment shooting

West Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) – Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher has identified the victim of a shooting that happened just after 2 p.m. this afternoon in the New Brookland Apartment Complex in West Columbia. According to Fisher, 26-year-old Samir Bernard Atkins of West Columbia suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the upper body and was pronounced dead at the scene….

First Transgender Woman Running For State Senator

COLUMBIA, S.C (WOLO)– For the first time in State history a transgender woman is running to be a state senator. The historical special election will fill former senator John Courson’s seat. Courson resigned a few weeks ago after he pleaded guilty to misconduct in office charges. Dayna Smith is a transgender activist and now she wants to put on another…

Trump tweets EPA leader Scott Pruitt has resigned

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) – After months of controversy and ethical discussions, Scott Pruitt has resigned as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. I have accepted the resignation of Scott Pruitt as the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Within the Agency Scott has done an outstanding job, and I will always be thankful to him for this. The Senate…