10/05/2026 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a midday shooting that occurred in Lake Carolina. On October 5, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., deputies responded to the 100 block of Palmetto Park Cir. in reference to a shooting. When deputies arrived on scene, they located a female victim with gunshot wounds to the upper and lower body. Deputies rendered aid to the victim until EMS arrived on scene to transport the victim to a local hospi

10/03/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrests of Zokeiyah Wyshan McCray (DOB: 12/05/1987) and Helen Shanine Benbow (DOB: 07/06/1967), both charged with Homicide by Child Abuse in connection with the death of a 4-year-old child. On Friday, October 2, 2026, at approximately 8:40 a.m., Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to MUSC, located at 120 Gateway Corporate Boulevard, after a 4-year-old child was brought to the hospital and pronounced deceased upon

10/01/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Barry L. Spears (DOB: 9/4/1972) and Jeri B. Spears (DOB: 2/1/1962) in connection with misuse of church funds. On June 9, 2025, RCSD investigators were contacted by the complainant, who filed an incident report regarding the pastor of his church misusing collection funds. The complainant stated that Barry Spears had been accepting donations through the church’s 5013C non-profit status and was using the parishioners’ donation

9/30/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Jaylon Holmes (18; DOB: 04/21/08) for an overnight murder that occurred on Moonglo Cir. On September 29, 2026, at approximately 11:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 30 block of Moonglo Cir in reference to an assault with a weapon. When deputies arrived on scene, a male victim was located with multiple stab wounds to the upper body. EMS pronounced the victim deceased on scene. RCSD investigato

9/27/2026 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an overnight shooting at La Rumba that left multiple people injured. On September 27, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., deputies were dispatched to La Rumba for a shooting. When deputies arrived on scene, there were two victims located with gunshot wounds. One had gunshot wounds to the upper body, and one had gunshot wounds to the lower body. Deputies began rendering aid to the victims until EMS arrived on sc

9/25/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Travis Henson (29; DOB: 10/15/96) in connection with a voyeurism. On September 25, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., deputies responded to the Food Lion on Decker Blvd. Deputies spoke with a female victim who stated that a male suspect distributed a foreign substance that she believed to be a bodily fluid on her clothing while in the store. A DNA sample was taken from the woman’s clothing. Deputies

9/24/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Alexander Wight (40; DOB: 06/28/86) in reference to a shooting at an apartment complex on Beatty Rd. On September 23, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m., deputies responded to the 1000 block of Beatty Rd for a shooting. While deputies were responding to the scene, the victim arrived at the RCSD substation at 1019 Beatty Rd with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies rendered aid to the victim until EMS arri

September 23rd, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Award is the namesake of Sheriff Leon Lott Martial arts practitioner and acclaimed instructor for U.S. and foreign special operations forces Ben “Yeti” Rhodes was awarded the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame’s prestigious “LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR” AWARD,” during a private ceremony, Thursday, Sept. 17. Rhodes, a former police officer, SWAT team leader, and veteran of the U.S. Navy’s special warfare boat teams (in support of U

9/22/2026 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an assault that occurred at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On 9/21/2026, around 9:40 a.m., while at the ASGDC, RCSD investigators were notified of a medical call in reference to an inmate that had been assaulted. Upon arriving in the medical bay, investigators made contact with the victim who had sustained injuries to his head and face. He was later transported to the hospital by EMS. Investigators late

9/22/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the petition of a 7th grader for having a stun gun on school grounds. On September 21, 2026, at approximately 12:30 pm, the School Resource Officer at E.L. Wright Middle School was notified by school administration that a 7th grade student had displayed a stun gun in class. The stun gun was secured by the SRO. “This is a reminder to parents to check your students’ backpacks,” says Sheriff Lott, “we have zero tolerance for weapons entering

9/21/2026 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Charleston Tyler Sweat (DOB: 1/7/1998) after a series of car break ins. On September 20, 2026, around 7:30 a.m., deputies were patrolling the area of Texas Street and Whitney Street after receiving a call for service regarding a suspicious person tampering with vehicles. While searching the area, deputies located 8 cars with partially open side doors and trunks. RCSD K9 Unit arrived to assist and while on the track, deputies

09/18/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Erianna Salmond (DOB: 1/10/1988) after an incident that occurred at Blythewood High School. On 9/18/2026, around 8:30 a.m., deputies responded to an altercation that had broken out between 4 juvenile females. After securing the scene, deputies began investigating the circumstances that led up to the altercation. Evidence was found that indicated Salmond, mother to one of the females involved in the altercation, was responsibl

September 14th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Multiple services were held across the Midlands on September 11 Deputies with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) along with fellow law-enforcement officers and first responders from various other agencies gathered to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, remembering and honoring the victims and the families of the victims of those attacks. The services held throughout the day and

09/13/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an overnight club shooting that left multiple people injured. On September 13, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., deputies responded to the 2700 block of Decker Blvd for a shots fired call. Upon arrival, deputies learned that two victims suffering from gunshot wounds had been located at the scene and transported by EMS to a local hospital. While deputies were on scene investigating, RCSD was advised that six ad

09/09/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces charges made against Shaheim Jackson (27; DOB: 01/12/99) in connection with two home invasions. On August 13, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., deputies responded to the 400 block of Warner Dr. for a home invasion. Deputies arrived on scene and found forced entry to the residence. The victims explained that multiple suspects forced entry into their home with firearms and fatally shot their dog in the process. The suspects fled

09/09/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrests of four suspects in connection with the shooting on Crestmont Rd yesterday. On September 8, 2026, while deputies were on scene for the shooting, witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle. Deputies were circulating the surrounding area when a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle was observed in the area of Hardscrabble Rd. and Sloan Rd. Deputies attempted to stop the vehi

09/08/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that left one injured. On September 8, 2026, around 2:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 600 Block of Crestmont Road in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. EMS arrived and transported the victim in stable condition. Deputies received a description of a vehicle that left from the scene and immediately can

08/31/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting at Vegas Nights on Friday night that left one injured. On August 28, 2026, at approximately 9:30 p.m., deputies responded to the 3700 block of River Dr for a shots fired call. On scene, deputies learned that a victim was struck by gunfire in the lower body and was taken to a local hospital by private vehicle. RCSD investigators and the Crime Scene Unit responded and began a

08/28/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the success of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s gun storage giveaway, held in partnership with Prisma. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and Prisma hosted two events this week, providing free gun lock boxes and trigger locks to members of the community. Across both events, 279 attendees received 373 trigger locks and 325 gun lock boxes, for a total of 698 firearm safety devices distributed at no cost. The giveaway provided

08/27/26 A physical altercation at A.C. Flora High School led to students being exposed to OC spray. On August 27, 2026, around 12:30 p.m., the School Resource Officer at A.C. Flora High School was notified that a fight had broken out in the outdoor courtyard. When the SRO responded to the area, he observed multiple students in a physical altercation. The SRO deployed OC spray to control the situation and separate the students. 8 students were exposed to the OC spray. Once th