COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia Police Department has made two arrests in separate but related shootings on Ripplemeyer Avenue.
The first shooting happened around 6 p.m. on Wednesday at 100 Ripplemeyer Avenue - North Pointe Estates. Investigators arrested 18-year-old Tyrone Thompson Jr. in the shooting of a 16-year-old during a struggle and attempted robbery. Authorities are still conducting interviews and reviewing surveillance video to determine the circumstances of the shooting.
The victim is listed as stable, but his exact medical condition was provided. Thompson was charged with unlawfully carrying a pistol and released from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $1,000 surety bond.
A gunfire alert system made police aware of another shooting at the same address the following day. Further investigation led to the arrest of 21-year-old William Wright III, a relative of the 16-year-old wounded in the previous shooting.
Wright was accused of trying to kick in the front door of an apartment and firing multiple rounds into the home. Though no one was injured, police believe Wright was retaliating against the incident from the previous day. However, the damaged home was not connected to that incident.
He was charged with first-degree attempted burglary, discharging a firearm into a dwelling, breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and unlawfully carrying a pistol. Wright remains at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center but was granted a $150,000 surety bond for the charge of possessing a weapon during a violent crime but was denied bond in connection to the burglary charge.
