Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Darnell Khan (DOB: 12/27/82) for Murder, Burglary 1^st Degree, and Attempted Armed Robbery. 

On Tuesday, January 27, 2009 around 1:15 AM Richland County Sheriff’s Department Deputies responded to a shooting incident at 250 Morningside Drive, Columbia. Upon arrival deputies found the victim, James Willie Smith Jr. lying in the back seat of a vehicle shot in the upper body.   

The victim was shot while inside an apartment at 250 Morningside Drive. Sheriff Lott stated that Khan attempted to break into an apartment through a window at the rear -- Khan fired gunshots in the direction of Smith hitting him in the upper body. The suspects went to this specific home for the purposes of settling an ongoing dispute with several gang members and may have come to that home with the intention of robbing the occupants of drugs.

Investigators continued to pursue all leads in this case and in doing so were able to apprehend Khan. Sheriff Lott added, “Our entire department is dedicated to solving crimes committed in Richland County, we strive to bring closure to the families and the citizens who we have sworn to protect and serve. Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force arrested Khan on Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 1734 Omarest Drive without incident.