3 in custody after shooting at Columbia shopping mall injuries 12

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC/WIS) – The Columbia Police Department confirmed Saturday afternoon that 12 people have been injured in a shooting at the Columbiana Centre.

Chief Skip Holbrook says of those 12, 10 suffered gunshot wounds and two were hurt trying to flee the scene.

Everyone who was shot during the incident went to hospitals in the area. Two of the 10 people shot are in critical condition, Holbrook says. The victims range in age from 15 to 73-years-old.

In a Facebook post, Prisma Health, a healthcare provider in the Midlands, said of the 11 patients they received, nine have been treated and released, and two patients were admitted.

Three people have been detained after the incident, according to investigators. Police say there are not necessarily suspects, but that could change as the investigation continues.

At least one person fired a weapon at the mall, according to the preliminary investigation. Three people were seen Saturday at the mall with a firearm, Holbrook says.

“We don’t believe this was random, and I think that’s very important in situations like this,” Holbrook said. “We believe that the individuals that were armed, knew each other and there was some type of conflict that occurred that resulted in gunfire. This was not a situation where we had some random person show up at a mall to discharge a firearm and injure people.”

Anybody with information on the shooting is asked to call the Columbia Police Criminal Investigations Bureau at 803-545-3525.

No fatalities have been reported.

In response to the shooting, Columbiana Centre issued this statement.

Today’s isolated, senseless act of violence is extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with everyone impacted. We are grateful for the quick response and continued support of our security team and our partners in law enforcement.

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann also issued a statement.

Our community is saddened by this senseless shooting and the pain it caused to innocent bystanders. Our focus is on getting them treatment right now and on being supportive of the multiple law enforcement agencies working together to bring these criminals to justice.

Initial Response

Police initially reported the incident at 2:28 p.m. at Columbiana Centre in the Irmo area, saying at the time it was unclear whether anyone had been injured.

Just 16 minutes later, police confirmed there were injuries and that the injured people were receiving medical attention.

A reunification site for those with loved ones involved in the shooting is at the Fairfield Inn at 320 Columbiana Drive.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Newberry County Sheriff’s Office are all on scene.

Those teams have been making sure that the mall has been “cleared.” Police say for anyone still inside to wait for officers to come as a protected escort.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Copyright 2022 WCSC. All rights reserved.



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