RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A man who fired shots after an alleged road rage incident will not face a murder charge, according to Richland County deputies. However, he will be charged with illegally possessing a gun.
Deputies say they responded to a Citgo at 704 Leesburg Road around 9 p.m. on May 5, 2023, after receiving reports of shots fired. Upon their arrival, deputies say they found a man, later identified as Steven Burchfield, who had been shot in the lower body. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
The investigation revealed that Burchfield and a woman had gotten into an argument outside of a restaurant on Garners Ferry Road. When the woman drove out of the parking lot, Burchfield followed her closely at a high rate of speed.
Fearing for her safety, the woman called 40-year-old Stevera Small who remained on the phone with her until she arrived at Citgo, with Burchfield still behind her.
When she arrived at the Citgo, deputies say Burchfield intentionally rammed her vehicle, causing them both to wreck. Small witnessed the collision and saw Burchfield exit his vehicle and approach the woman driver.
Fearing for the woman’s safety, deputies say Small fired shots at Burchfield.
Deputies say after weighing all the circumstances surrounding this incident, investigators determined that Small feared the woman was in danger and acted in her defense.
However, because Small was convicted of armed robbery in 2018, he was prohibited from having a firearm and was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of violent offense.
“It’s sad that this situation escalated the way it did,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Sheriff Lott said. “What started as an exchange of words led to one life gone and two others changed forever.”
Lott went on to say, “If you find yourself in a situation where you’re scared for your safety on the road or anywhere else, call 911 immediately.”
