Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today the arrest of four individuals in connection with the brutal attack, assault and burning of a man at 1901 Woodfield Road on April 6, 2008..

Sheriff Lott stated that on April 6, 2008 a group of men arrived at a wedding party on Bluff Road and a verbal altercation occurred. The altercation occurred because the group was told to leave the wedding. After being escorted out the group planned retaliation against the groom and headed for 1901 Woodfield Road; because they knew this was where the groom lived.  

Sheriff Leon Lott stated that on the way to the Woodfield Community the group picked up baseball bats and decided to retaliate by setting the groom’s car on fire, to demolish the groom’s car and assault anyone that got in their way. Around 1:00 AM the group located a car outside the groom’s home and began to destroy it – they located a 42 year old man sitting in the car and pulled him from the car, severely beat him with baseball bats, stabbed him repeatedly and stole his wallet and jewelry. Sheriff Lott stated that the suspects then placed the man back inside the car and set the car on fire in hopes to burn the car and kill the occupant – all in an effort to leave no witnesses.

Sheriff Lott stated that as the investigation progressed, the department determined that a robbery occurred during the assault; however that the purpose for the severe beating of the victim was over being told to leave a party.  Two juveniles (a 16 year old and 15 year old – both males) and  two adults have been charged with lynching 2^nd in connection with the incident – arson charges will be forthcoming against all involved.

The 2 adults charged at this time:

1. Armando Torres, 19 years old
2. Jonathan Martinez, 17 years old

• The plan to attack as a mob is why the suspects are charged with lynching 2^nd (which carries the same penalties as assault and battery with intent to kill)
• Investigators are still working to identify several more individuals that may be involved and that investigators have recovered most of the victim’s personal belongings that were stolen. 

April 11, 2008