COLUMBIA, S.C. — A 14-year-old is dead and another teen is charged with the killing after a shooting near a Columbia neighborhood.
Richland County deputies say they got a call around 7:45 p.m. Monday of a shooting in a wooded area in the 2400 block of Kneece Road. That's in an area between Decker Boulevard and Brookfield Road behind a shopping center.
Officers say the victim had multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies say a 16-year old has been taken into custody in connection with the killing and is now facing charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, and unlawful carry.
Officers add that the investigation is active.
“It is always devastating to lose such a young person to gun violence,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a statement. “It is sad to think that these kids are out here killing each other and taking someone’s life means nothing to them. I keep stressing that the 14-28 age group is where we are seeing our violent crimes and loss of life. This is a community problem. We need the community to help us save the kids.”
Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.