News Releases

05/21/26 Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of a former deputy, Spencer Link, 35, on charges of DUI. On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:08 p.m., the South Carolina Highway Patrol made a traffic stop on Bluff Rd on a gray Toyota pickup truck for a traffic violation. The driver, identified as Spencer Matthew Link, was believed to be under the influence of alcohol and was placed under arrest for DUI. He was off duty and in his personal car at the time of the a

05/20/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Yshay Fuller, 33, in connection to a runaway juvenile. On May 10, 2026 Richland County responded to a call for service regarding a runaway juvenile being held at her residence. Fuller was not forthcoming about information she had about the juvenile and their whereabouts. After further investigation, on May 19, 2026, Fuller was charged with Contributing to the delinquency of a Minor, Obstructing Justice, and Neglect by a Legal

05/20/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting on Decker Blvd. On May 20, 2026, at approximately 2:50 a.m., deputies responded to the Decker Blvd./Plainfield Road area for a ShotSpotter alert. Upon arrival, deputies were advised by Dispatch that an individual had been shot at that location, left the scene and were now located in the I-277/Exit 20 area. When deputies arrived at the victim’s location, they observed a male who had sustained a gunsh

05/18/26 The Richland County Sheriff's Department is investigating a report of road rage leading to a fire involving multiple vehicles at the Spinx gas station on the 100 block of Lee Rd yesterday afternoon. On May 17, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a disturbance on the 1400 block of Summit Pkwy from a caller claiming to being chased by another vehicle. While deputies were enroute to the location, the incident was updated to a multiple vehicle c

05/17/26 Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies are investigating a vehicle fire at the Spinx gas station at the intersection of Lee Road and Hardscrabble Road in northeast Columbia. Deputies were dispatched to the Spinx gas station, located at 101 Lee Road, at approximately 2 p.m. on May 17, 2026, after receiving a report of a vehicle fire. When deputies arrived, they found two vehicles and a gas pump engulfed in flames. Two people were transported to a local hospital

05/13/26 This morning, Wednesday, May 13, at approximately 01:00 a.m. deputies responded to a shooting that occurred at the 224 O’Neil court, club Bar Code. On arrival they were informed by a security guard, who stated that he had shot the man, who was lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately began rendering aide and secured the scene. A security guard, identified as Nicholas Horton, 41, informed deputies that he was working when an altercation i

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

05/11/26 During the incident, a Richland County School Resource Officer’s vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire. Neither the deputy nor any students were injured. This remains an isolated incident and is not believed to be connected to the school, its staff, or students. The suspect sustained injuries during the incident; however, investigators are still working to determine how those injuries occurred. The investigation remains ongoing. Please see the original release

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

05/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the detention of a 13-year-old following a vehicle pursuit in a stolen car. On May 6, 2026, just before 8:00 pm, deputies observed a stolen vehicle operating on Broad River Road. At the intersection of Broad River Road and I-20, deputies initiated a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle, at which time, the driver fled. The driver, 13-years-old, led deputies on a pursuit that ended when the suspect drove off-road into a wooded area behind Fore

05/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Kevin Jenkins (55) in connection with this morning’s shooting on Bush River Road. The victim was pronounced dead at the hospital as a result of being shot. Investigators were able to determine the identity of the shooter as Jenkins. Investigators continued a through search of the surrounding area, locating Jenkins at a homeless camp near the incident location. Further investigation revealed that Jenkins and the victim, who we

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

05/07/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting on Bush River Road. On May 7, 2026, at approximately 9:15 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the 1100 block of Bush River Rd for a shooting. When deputies arrived at the scene, Columbia – Richland Fire was performing life-saving measures on the adult male victim, who had been struck by gunfire. This is an active and on-going investigation. K9 is tracking in the area in an effort to locate the subject

05/05/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of David Jackson (21) in reference to a shooting on Saluda River Rd. On May 3, 2026, at approximately 8:45 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Saluda River Rd for a shooting. When deputies arrived at the scene, they located two victims with gunshot wounds. One victim sustained gunshot wounds to both the upper and lower body and the other victim sustained a gunshot wound to the lower body. EMS arrived

05/04/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of 18-year-old Kelvin Figueroa (18) in reference to having a loaded gun on a school bus this morning, May 4, 2026. This morning, around 8:45 am, 911 Communications received a text message from a student on a school bus on route to Blythewood High School. According to the text message, another student, identified as Figueroa, was in possession of a gun. School Resource Officers at Blythewood High School, as well as Region 6 deput

05/01/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that left one person injured on Broad River Rd last night. On April 30, 2026, at approximately 9:50 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a shots fired call on the 2800 block of Broad River Rd. While responding to the location, deputies learned that a victim was struck by gunfire. When deputies arrived at the location, they located the male victim with a gunshot wound to the lower body. EMS responded an

05/01/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the 1400 block of Rushmore Road in Columbia. On May 1, 2026, around 3:30 pm, deputies responded to the 1400 block of Rushmore Road in reference to a shooting that just occurred. Once on scene, deputies located one adult male with gunshot wounds to the upper and lower body and began rendering aid. EMS transported the subject to a local hospital in stable condition. Deputies were able

04/30/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Devante Walker (27) and Leroy Mclamore (29) in relation to the shooting on Humphrey Drive that left one dead. After obtaining video footage and interviewing witnesses, investigators were able to determine the homicide suspects to be Walker and Mclamore. On April 20, 2026, Devante Walker was taken into custody without incident and transported to the ASGDC. He was charged with Murder and Possession of a Weapon During a Violent

04/29/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded, at the request of SLED, to the area of Harbison and I-26 in reference to a wanted fugitive out of Anderson County believed to be travelling through the area. Law enforcement located the suspect and initiated a vehicle stop at I-26 and 378 (Sunset Blvd). The suspect failed to stop, initiating a short vehicle pursuit into downtown Columbia. The pursuit ended at Blossom and Assembly St., where the suspect fled from the

04/27/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a stabbing at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On April 27, 2026, around 2:45 p.m., deputies were dispatched to ASGDC in reference to a call from the jail reporting a stabbing incident. Upon arrival, deputies were informed the inmate suffered multiple stab wounds and is being transported by EMS to a local hospital. He was alert and conscious at the time of transport. This is an ongoing investigation.