News Releases

04/20/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the 3800 block of Humphrey Drive. On April 19, 2026, at approximately 10:20 p.m., deputies responded to a reported vehicle collision with injuries. Upon arrival, deputies located a vehicle that had struck a tree. Deputies made entry into the vehicle and began rendering aid to the sole occupant, an adult male. EMS arrived on scene and, while providing treatment, discovered the

04/18/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting incident that occurred at the 200 block of Pond Ridge Road East. On April 18, 2026, around 10:30 am, deputies responded to the incident location in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located one adult male deceased on scene and one adult female with a single gunshot wound to the upper body. The investigation revealed the deceased male, Christopher Todd (DOB: 04/02/0987), shot the female

04/17/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Elliot Collier in reference to a shots fired incident. Over the last few weeks, RCSD deputies have been receiving shots fired calls in the area of Main Street (Old Eastover) and McCords Ferry Road between 8:30 and 9:30 pm. On April 16, 2026, deputies staged in the area in an attempt to locate the shots fired as they occurred. Around 8:30 pm, deputies heard several shots fired over the span of a couple of minutes, with the sou

04/17/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has cleared Rhine Falls Ln for normal operations. On April 17, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Rhine Falls Ln for a domestic violence incident. Deputies spoke with the victim a short distance from the location of the incident. Preliminary information revealed that the suspect struck the victim in the face and strangled her, victim’s injuries were consistent with an assault. The vi

04/17/26 @ 2:40 PM RCSD deputies and Special Response Team are at the 500 block of Rhine Falls Lane in reference to a barricaded suspect. Sandfarm Trail from Fls Rdg Lane to Swift Current Loop and all of Rhine Falls Lane are closed. Drivers need to utilize an alternate route at this time.

04/17/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an attempted ATM theft in Blythewood. On April 17, 2026, at approximately 2:40 a.m., deputies responded to an alarm at First Community Bank. Upon arrival, deputies discovered an ATM had been forcibly removed from the ground and left lying on its side, partially cracked open. Money remained inside the machine. Through the investigation, deputies obtained surveillance footage showing a pickup truck, believed to

04/17/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating another non-fatal overdose at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On April 16, 2026, just after 1:00pm, deputies responded to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in reference to an inmate overdosing. Upon arrival, deputies were informed that the inmate was being transported by EMS to a local hospital for treatment. The inmate was alert and conscious at the time of transport. Jail staff on scene informed deputies they

04/14/26 Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested a man Monday evening (4/13/26) after he followed a young girl, between the ages of 9 and 11 years old, into a restroom at a local restaurant and sexually assaulted her. On April 13, 2026, around 7:00 p.m., deputies responded to a restaurant at the 2600 block of Decker Boulevard in reference to a suspicious person. When deputies arrived, the restaurant owner provided surveillance footage showing an adult male, lat

04/10/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Khila Wood (29) in connection with a shooting that occurred on Nancy Avenue. On April 9, 2026, around 7:20 p.m., deputies were dispatched to Audrey Lane in reference to a ShotSpotter alert. While enroute, deputies were advised by dispatch that someone was struck by gunfire in the area of the ShotSpotter alert near Nancy Avenue. Upon arrival, deputies located a witness and two pools of blood. Upon further investigation, deputi

04/09/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces charges made against an inmate in yesterday’s stabbing that occurred at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On April 8, 2026, investigators responded to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center to investigate the stabbing that occurred. Investigators learned through witness interviews that the victim and another inmate were involved in a verbal altercation near the victim’s room. Shortly after, the suspect was seen fleeing the room by witnesse

04/08/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is aware of an inmate death that occurred at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on the evening of April 7th, 2026. Based on information provided, detention center staff located an unresponsive inmate at approximately 7:00 p.m. EMS was requested, and upon arrival, the individual was found to be unresponsive and already exhibiting signs consistent with death. The inmate was transported to a local hospital at 8:34 p.m., where he

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

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