Press Conferences

05/12/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Corey Gibbons (44; DOB: 09/21/81) and stresses the importance of SROs in schools following the shooting incident that occurred at Horrell Hill Elementary School on the afternoon of May 11, 2026. On May 11, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the SRO of Horrell Hill Elementary School was patrolling the area of the school to ensure the safety of students when a vehicle began to follow her. The vehicle continued to fo

05/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting involving a Forest Acres police officer at Relapse Bar & Grill located at 5024 Two Notch Rd. On May 10, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., a Forest Acres police officer heard gun shots coming from the area of Two Notch Rd. near Relapse Bar & Grill. Another Forest Acres officer began to circulate the 5000 block of Two Notch Rd. when a vehicle driving erratically almost struck the officer’s vehicle. Th

05/07/2026 Sheriff Lott holds a Press Conference at RCSD Headquarters to discuss an organized scam by inmates. Sheriff Leon Lott announces fraud-related charges against multiple Georgia prisoners. In October, 2025, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department initiated an investigation into a series of ruthless scam calls targeting victims in Richland County, SC. Following an extensive investigation, RCSD has identified 9 suspects, prisoners, involved in these cruel scams, all in

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

03/07/2026 Sheriff Lott holds a Press Conference at RCSD Headquarters to present civilian with a Certificate of Appreciation

01/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announced that the safety and security of Richland County citizens remain the department’s top priority. In 2025, Richland County experienced a decrease in murders, with 100 percent of murders solved for three years in a row. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department made 37 arrests for murder with numerous additional arrests on related charges. Murders declined slightly, with 26 cases in 2025 compared to 27 in 2024. From the very beginning of each m