RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — A road has reopened and three schools have been released from secure status after Richland County deputies responded to an incident in northeast Columbia on Thursday afternoon.
A large law enforcement presence blocked the 1300 block of Parliament Lake Drive around 3 p.m. Thursday. Windsor Lake Boulevard was also blocked on both sides so that traffic could enter the neighborhood but has since reopened.
According to deputies, Windsor Elementary School, E.L. Wright Middle School, and the Center for Knowledge were temporarily placed on secure status. All of those schools returned to normal status shortly before 4 p.m.
Deputies said they were dispatched to a home on Parliament Lake Drive for a domestic situation. Upon arrival, deputies heard shots fired.
Deputies said they were able to secure the initial victim and pull back and established a perimeter. The Special Response Team (SRT) responded to the scene and attempted to make contact.
The call outs were unsuccessful and no contact was made with anyone inside the residence. SRT made entry and deployed the drone inside the home. They were able to observe the suspect unresponsive inside.
Deputies then approached the man and observed him to have a gunshot wound to the upper body. EMS responded and pronounced the suspect deceased.
The initial victim was treated at the scene.
At this time, a portion of the 1300 block of Parliament Lake Drive is still closed down.