04/07/2026 Sheriff Lott holds a Press Conference at RCSD Headquarters to present partnership with Prisma Health for gun safety Sheriff Leon Lott announces a partnership with Prisma Health hospital to disperse gun boxes and gun locks to citizens.              Prisma Health utilized a grant through the South Carolina Department of Public Health to purchase gun boxes and gun locks to encourage gun owners to properly secure firearms around children.              Over the past two

04/06/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrests of Rodney Gibson (50) and Kawiana Young (50) in relation to abuse against children.              On March 12, 2026, it was reported to deputies that a victim came forward in reference to sexual abuse while in foster care in the home of Gibson and Young. The victim shared that Gibson sexually assaulted her numerous times beginning at the age of 15 until she aged out of foster care as an adult.              An investigation was o

April 3rd, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Three real incidents show how South Carolina deputies made split-second decisions to save lives — moments the public rarely sees Master Deputy Geoffrey Kendall, Corporal Avery Arrington and Master Deputy Monica Parker of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, whose quick actions in separate incidents helped save lives. In my near-10 years with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) in Columbia, South Carolina, I’ve learned a

04/01/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the sentencing for Jaquice Williams (21) following his arrest for a crash that killed 2 women. In the early morning hours of July 17, 2023, a Richland County deputy spotted a vehicle that was reported stolen out of the City of Columbia. When the deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on Mallet Hill Road, the driver fled. The officer lost sight of the vehicle and while searching the area, deputies were notified by dispatch that a vehicle h

04/01/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces that the Richland County Court of Common Pleas has dismissed a false arrest claim brought against the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, affirming the lawfulness of the Department’s actions in connection with a 2019 incident. Joseph Cantwell, through his attorneys, The Shealey Law Firm, brought a lawsuit against the Richland County Sheriff’s Department alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, assault and battery, defamation, neglig

03/31/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department announces additional charges pending against Darrius Gilmore (21) following his arrest by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. On March 28, 2026, RCSD investigators were notified by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office about a kidnapping of two teenaged females occurring in Richland county early that morning. CCSO informed RCSD investigators that the suspect, identified as Gilmore, was in custody for crimes that occurred in Cal

03/31/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrests of Allen Garner Jr. (18) and Mario Hooks (18) in relation to the March 21, 2026, shooting at the 200 block of Gusty Lane that injured one person. The investigation revealed the shooting was a result of ongoing disputes between the suspects and victim. On March 31st, RCSD’s Fugitive Task Force and Special Response Team located both Garner and Hooks at their respective residences in Richland County. Both suspects were taken into

03/27/26 Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of former deputy sheriff Tiffany Anderson, 45, on charges of simple assault. On March 23, 2026 at approximately 2:30 p.m., RCSD deputies responded to a residence on Laurel Bluff Court for an assault that had occurred. The investigation revealed that Anderson, following a verbal disagreement did strike the victim multiple times causing injuries. Today, Friday, March 27, 2026, Anderson was terminated and subsequent

03/24/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Hayley Johnston (23) following an accidental shooting that injured a young child. On March 23, 2026, around 7:30pm, deputies responded to an apartment complex at the 8700 block of Windsor Lake Boulevard in reference to a single gunshot victim. Upon arrival, deputies located a young child, under the age of 7, with a single gunshot wound to the lower body. The child was transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. At t

03/24/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Jamier Daniel (18), a student at Richland Northeast High School, after he brought a firearm onto school grounds. On March 24, 2026, around 8:40 am, upon entry to the school, on campus security located a black handgun while searching Daniel’s backpack. SROs were notified and responded to secure the firearm and arrest Daniel. Jamier Daniel was charged with Carrying Weapon on School Property and transported to Alvin S. Glenn Det

March 23rd, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Media Personality Curtis Wilson honored with Order of the Palmetto Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) Deputy Curtis Wilson, an anchor and law-enforcement analyst for On Patrol: LIVE and news anchor for ABC Columbia (WOLO-TV), recently received the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest award, during a special ceremony hosted by S.C. Representative Kambrell Garvin. Presented February 19, the award recognized Wilson’s l

03/23/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of March 21, 2026, at the 200 block of Gusty Lane. On March 21, around 12:30 am, deputies responded to the 200 block of Gusty Lane in reference to a ShotSpotter alert where multiple rounds were fired. Upon arrival, deputies were met by numerous witnesses, several of which were juveniles. While on scene, deputies were notified of a gunshot victim, an adult mal

03/23/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting incident at the 8700 block of Windsor Lake Boulevard. Deputies responded this evening in reference to reports of a single gunshot victim; the victim has been transported to a local hospital for treatment. This is an isolated incident. This is an active investigation. If you have information regarding this incident, call RCSD at (803)576-3000 or submit a tip anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIM

03/20/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Dorothy Watkins (41) in connection with multiple crimes against an elderly victim. On February 22nd, 2026, the 87-year-old victim went shopping in Sandhills. While working as a store cashier, Watkins obtained the victim’s Driver’s License. Watkins kept the victim’s SCDL and returned a different one to the victim. On or around March 7th, 2026, Watkins, wearing a wig, went to the victim’s residence which she located using the v

03/17/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Larry Brown (79; DOB: 03/02/47) in relation to a shooting on Goodwin Way. On March 17, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., deputies responded to the 300 block of Goodwin Way in reference to someone being shot. Deputies arrived on scene and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the lower body. The victim was transported to the hospital by EMS. Deputies detained the shooter near the scene while attempting to flee the area, an

March 16th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Award is the namesake of 2021 National Sheriff of the Year Leon Lott Pictured (L-R) Sheriff Bill Waybourn and Sheriff Leon Lott The S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame (SCBBHOF) presented Tarrant County (Texas) Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn with the prestigious LEON LOTT – FIRST THROUGH THE DOOR AWARD during an awards dinner held in Arlington, Texas, Friday evening March 6, 2026. The award, named after Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, is part of

03/15/26 Two RCSD K-9 handlers are recovering today after being struck by an intoxicated driver in the early morning hours. On March 15, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., deputies were conducting traffic enforcement on I277 N near the Farrow exit. Two K-9 handlers were sitting off of the roadway running radar when a vehicle left the roadway and hit both K-9 vehicles at a high rate of speed. An RCSD K-9 became entrapped in a vehicle, and the driver of the vehicle that left the

03/10/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Justin Fox (37), a substitute teacher at Blythewood High School, after he brought a firearm onto school grounds. On March 9, 2026, around 9:00 am, school officials were alerted by the metal detector that there was a firearm in Mr. Fox’s bag. SROs were notified and responded to the metal detectors to secure the firearm and detain Fox. SROs confirmed that Fox is the legal owner of the gun; he reportedly forgot the firearm was i

03/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department announces the arrest of Cortez Jones (26) and Lorenzo Chandler (35). On March 9, 2026, at approximately 1:05 p.m., deputies initiated a traffic stop in the area of Two Notch Rd. and Roof St. on a vehicle for reckless driving. The driver of the vehicle did not stop and a pursuit began. The pursuit lasted for approximately 15 minutes, and came to an end when the driver collided with other vehicles making his vehicle inoperable o

03/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that occurred on the 1900 block of Nearview Ave. On March 9, 2026, at approximately 6:15 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 1800 block of Faraway Dr. for a shots fired call. While responding, deputies were flagged down on the 1900 block of Nearview Ave. for a residence that was struck by gunfire. While on scene, deputies learned that multiple residences were struck by gunfire, and that a victim h