08/14/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of a former deputy in training, Kenneth Edmonds, 38, on charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor. On August 13, 2026, RCSD was notified by SLED that arrest warrants were obtained for Edmonds during an investigation. RCSD cooperated with the investigation and Edmonds was immediately terminated from employment. On August 14, 2026, Edmonds was placed under arrest by SLED and booked in to the Lexingt

08/11/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces re-arrest of Louai Elkhatib (DOB: 2/9/71) on an additional criminal sexual conduct charge. Elkhatib was arrested July 20, 2026, and charged with four counts of Assault and Battery 1st Degree and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree. After announcing his arrest, RCSD encouraged any additional victims to come forward. On July 25th 2026, RCSD investigators were contacted by an additional victim regarding an incident that occurred b

August 10th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Leon Lott receives permanent name-recognition within the ongoing development of Centennial Park Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, a South Carolina Military Veterans Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2025), has received yet another honor with a brick bearing his name and law-enforcement title installed directly below the large flagpole at the still-being-developed Centennial Park on Fort Jackson, S.C. The expanding brick courtyard (pict

08/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott discusses the traffic stop that lead to deputies returning gunfire during a K9 track off of Leesburg Road and Harmon Road. Yesterday, August 6, 2026 just after 1:00 pm, Master Deputy Tavon Polk attempted to make a traffic stop on Lorenzo-Davis Road on a silver Chevy sedan for a suspended tag. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop, initiating a vehicle pursuit. The suspect vehicle subsequently wrecked at Harmon Road and Leesburg Road and all occu

08/05/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Karlos Gibson (20; DOB: 11/09/05) after firearms were found hidden in his 10-month-old child’s bedroom during a search warrant. On August 5, 2026, at approximately 7:00 a.m., RCSD investigators conducted a search warrant on the 1700 block of Van Heist St. While conducting the search warrant, investigators located two firearms in a 10-month-old child’s bedroom. One of the firearms was located in the closet while t

08/04/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Aprill Yakubu (52; DOB: 04/07/74) after possession a firearm at Westwood High School. On August 4, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the School Resource Officer at Westwood High School was notified by a private security officer at the school that Yakubu walked through the metal detector with a firearm in her purse. Yakubu was at the school this morning accompanying her child for student orientation. Yakubu stated

08/04/26 Today, August 4th, is National Night Out. National Night Out is a nation-wide event promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Tonight, there will be dozens of neighborhoods celebrating National Night Out right here in Richland County. Sheriff Leon Lott discusses the increase of copper thefts in the Midlands and how the community can help. In the Midlands, AT&T alone has been the victim of 105 copper thefts year-to-date. Since October 2025,

08/03/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Alphonzo Ray (33; DOB: 03/13/93) after a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 2nd. On August 2, 2026, at approximately 5:00 a.m., RCSD deputies were dispatched to a shooting on the 6600 block of Shakespeare Rd with a ShotSpotter alert. When deputies arrived on scene, a male victim was found with a gunshot wound to the lower body. EMS responded and transported him to the hospital whe

07/31/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Travis Jerrod Johnson (DOB: 2/9/1982) in reference to a series of nine burglaries occurring in Richland County. Between June 1 and July 29, 2026, Johnson burglarized nine gas stations across Richland County, from Broad River Road to outbound Two Notch Road. Johnson would force entry by breaking windows and glass doors, then steal cash and cartons of cigarettes. Johnson would then sell the cartons of cigarettes online. RCSD in

07/29/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Russell Kenton II (35; DOB: 03/17/91) after misusing the Flock system. On July 24, 2026, a routine audit was conducted by the Professional Standards Division of the use of the Flock camera system that RCSD deputies have access to for investigative purposes. During the audit, it was discovered that Kenton misused his access to the system by researching information that was not for law enforcement purposes.

July 23rd, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. 5K road race moved from July to late September The Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year – always aimed at raising support for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) K-9 corps – has moved from one of the hottest months of the year in “famously hot” Columbia, South Carolina, to September 26, a date far-less stifling. “We have had exceptionally high turnouts for Guardians of the Night, year after

07/21/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Louai Elkhatib (55; DOB: 02/09/71) for the sexual assaults of women dating back over a decade. On June 30, 2026, a victim reported to RCSD about sexual assaults she experienced that spanned over years. During the investigation, the victim identified the suspect as Elkhatib and informed investigators that he is a spiritual leader at her mosque with the Mission Hope Foundation, which also operates a school where he

07/20/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Nicholas Lopez (32; DOB: 03/14/94) after exposing his genitals inside of a store. On July 18, 2026, at approximately 8:40 p.m., deputies responded to the Hair Depot on Decker Blvd in reference to a suspicious person engaging in lewd activity. Deputies learned that the suspect entered the business and began to start a conversation with a woman before exposing himself and rubbing his genitals on her. The victim ale

UPDATE: Two Arrested in McCary’s Restaurant and Grill Shooting 7/20/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Saquan Davis (DOB: 7/18/1995) and Alterik Mays (5/6/2000) in connection with a shooting that left one injured. On June 10, 2026, around 5:45 a.m., deputies responded to 851 Bush River Road for reports of shots fired with one individual sustaining a gunshot wound to the upper body. The Columbia Police Department was able to locate the victim and her vehicle and Rich

07/17/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that left one injured. On July 16, 2026, around 5:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 8000 Block of Bayfield Road in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies were notified by Dispatch that the victim had been transported to the hospital after suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Deputies canvassed the area and located a crime scene inside an apartment at the complex. Crime S

07/17/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a stabbing incident at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center that left two injured. On July 16, 2026 around 11:30 a.m., deputies responded to 201 John Mark Dial Drive in reference to an assault between two inmates. Upon arrival, deputies were made aware that two inmates were in a physical altercation where both sustained stab wounds from manmade weapons, commonly known as shanks. One inmate sustained a stab woun

07/17/26 Sheriff Lott announced the Parental Accountability Initiative in January 2025, in an effort to stress the importance for parent to be parents; and that if parents were allowing their children to commit crimes and/or assisting them they will be held accountable. To date, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department has charged 12 parents since the initiative was started. Today, Sheriff Lott announces three more arrests; Kendra Hemphill, Alterik Mays, and Samantha Rivera f

07/13/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrests of Tyler White (21; DOB: 09/14/04) and a 15-year-old male in connection with the double homicide that occurred at Greenbrier Apartments. On July 11, 2026, after the shooting, White reported to the hospital with at least one gunshot wound. Deputies responded and were able to determine he sustained the gunshot wound at the Greenbriar Apartment complex. During the investigation, it was determined that White and the 15

07/13/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Justin Young (DOB: 12/30/1988, 37) in connection with a shooting on Palmland Drive. Investigators identified Young as the shooter and continue to investigate what led to the incident. On July 10, 2026, Justin Young was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent Crime. He was transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was denied bond. He remains incarcerated. ORIGIN

07/12/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an evening shooting that left two people dead. Richland County Deputies were dispatched to a shooting hit at 100 Willow Oak, Greenbrier Apartments, around 6:30 PM yesterday evening, July 11. Upon arrival they encountered two individuals who had been shot and were pronounced deceased at the scene, and at least one more injured and transported to a local hospital. This is an ongoing investigation and more inform