At around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday August 3, deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were met with gunfire after they responded to what turned out to be a false 9-1-1 call at the Carriage Oaks subdivision in Northeast Columbia.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott held a press conference today to share new details on last week’s ambush.
Sheriff Leon Lott says deputies with Richland County Sheriff’s Department were ambushed with gunfire at around 5:30 a.m. this morning at Carriage Oaks subdivision in Northeast Columbia.
Deputies were called to the neighborhood over a possible domestic dispute. But when the deputies arrived to the home, the homeowners told deputies that they had no dispute and didn’t call the police. As deputies left the home, more than fifteen shots were fired from an assault rifle in their direction–striking the deputies’ vehicles.
“We have to work together to make sure we keep our communities safe. We’re just one part of it,” Sheriff Lott said.
The cry to end gun violence is also being heard in Newberry County where four teens were recently killed.
The family’s attorney is calling for an independent investigation of the incident.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) – The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an officer-involved shooting in North Columbia. According to investigators, deputies responded to Heyward Brockington Road just before 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 19 for a domestic call with a weapon. Deputies say when they arrived on scene, the suspect Irvin Moorer Charley exited the home with what appeared to be…
“When something happens at a school, kids don’t hesitate to go to the SRO and tell them what’s going on or what somebody’s got,” Lott said.
“We need safe places for our young people to go, have fun and do something to keep them busy,” said Sheriff Leon Lott of Richland County.
“The fact that all 32 murders were solved shows that our investigators are working closely with our community and do not give up on these victims. This senseless violence is not a law enforcement problem,” Sheriff Lott said. “We can solve the cases as they come in but that doesn’t stop the violence from happening- something has to change within the community.”
“We can put up metal detectors and create all kinds of policies and procedures. At the end of the day, if it is just us involved in that effort, we won’t be successful.”
