03/03/26 Yesterday, March 2, 2026, around 4:30pm, deputies responded to a school bus stop in the Hallbrook Drive area in reference to two males wearing ski masks presenting a firearm. Responding deputies quickly located the two suspects and, upon making their presence known, both suspects fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, deputies detained both suspects without further incident. RCSD K9 units responded to the scene to track for the firearm that was presented by the susp

February 27th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department points to mobile-phone forensics as “vital asset” in recent homicide-solving successes Pictured are Sheriff Leon Lott and Maj. Ricky Johnson Recent national reports of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s (RCSD) successes in solving 100-percent of all homicide cases (80 murder cases in fact since 2023) beg the question: How? Broad investigative team effort, including an intelligence and ana

02/23/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in the early morning hours of February 23, 2026. On February 23, 2026, just after 2:00am, RCSD was notified that the South Carolina Highway Patrol had responded to a single vehicle collision on I-20 eastbound and requested RCSD’s assistance after discovering evidence that the victim may have been shot. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed one deceased victim on scene. Deputies notified RCS

02/23/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a stabbing that occurred on February 22, 2026, at the 1700 block of Decker Boulevard. On February 22, just after 2:00am, deputies responded to the 1700 block of Decker Boulevard in reference to an assault that just occurred. Upon arrival, deputies located two victims, both suffering from stab wounds. Law enforcement on scene rendered aid until EMS arrived. Both victims were transported to a local hospital; bot

02/20/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an assault that occurred February 19, 2026, in the 6900 block area of North Trenholm Road. On February 19, around 9:30pm, deputies responded to the incident location in reference to a shooting hit. Deputies were advised that the victim had been transported by EMS to a local hospital. RCSD investigators responded to the hospital to meet with the victim. It was at that time, investigators learned the victim’s in

02/19/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Pamela Schronce (30), in connection to a scam regarding the purchase of boutique items. RCSD investigators received a report that a victim purchased several items from Schronce’s Thomas & Turner Boutique, totaling of over $200, that were never provided to her. The victim tried several times to reach out to Schronce to have the issue resolved and Schronce failed to return any communication or refunds. Pamela Schronce has been

02/19/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department continues the search for Sabrina Heinz, who has been missing since January 28, 2026. RCSD investigators continue to follow leads in the search for Ms. Heinz. There is reason to believe that she may have been picked up on the interstate and could possibly be anywhere by now. On February 6, 2026, RCSD requested the FBI’s assistance and continues to partner in the search for Sabrina to help locate her. “The FBI has different tech

02/19/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after deputies responded to an aggravated assault on the 500 block of Spindrift Ln. On February 18, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 500 block of Spindrift Ln for an assault involving a weapon. Deputies located a victim with a laceration to her head and blood on her clothing in the area. Deputies tended to the victim until EMS arrived on scene and transported her to the hospi

02/18/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Ashley Murff (42) in reference to an assault at Sam’s Club over the weekend. Investigators were able to view surveillance footage from Sam’s Club of the incident and determine that Murff was the primary aggressor. Murff was identified, and investigators obtained a warrant for her arrest. On February 18, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., investigators arrested Murff and charged her with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree. She was

02/16/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Rasheed Hawkins (23) in reference to the murder on Cutlers Ct. Investigators were able to determine that Hawkins and the victim met at the location for the sale of an iPhone. Hawkins intended to rob the victim which led to the victim being shot several times. On Monday February 16, 2026, at approximately 1:00 a.m., RCSD’s Fugitive Task Force and Special Response Team located Hawkins and placed him under arrest. During a

February 16th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Intelligence collection, countering human-trafficking, mine-clearing efforts in Eastern Europe, expansion into Africa, and a South Carolina connection The board of directors of U.S.-based CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (CSGS) gathered for a quarterly Zoom meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, to discuss ongoing projects on several continents. Chairman John Lamb briefly discussed his forthcoming trip within the month to Washington, D.C

02/15/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Cutlers Ct. On February 15, 2026, at approximately 1:10 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 10 block of Cutlers Ct in reference to someone being shot. Once on scene, deputies located the victim inside of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. Deputies began to render aid to the victim until EMS arrived to transport the victim to the hospital where he succu

02/14/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after an assault occurred at Sam’s Club over a racial slur. On February 14, 2026, at approximately 1:30 p.m., deputies were dispatched to 733 Fashion Dr. for a report of an assault. Deputies spoke with the victim who stated that while she was in line at the store, a woman used a racial slur towards her. The victim told deputies that this resulted in a verbal dispute between the two of them. The victim told dep

02/13/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at Bent Tree apartment complex. On February 11, 2026, just before 6:00 a.m., deputies were requested to 1000 Bent Tree Ln by the Columbia Fire Department for a suspicious fire. Deputies were informed that there was a fire at the leasing office of the complex which was deemed suspicious, and forced entry was observed at the location. The Richland County Fire Marshal’s Office is i

February 12th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Richland County Sheriff’s Department Chaplains play key role within the department and throughout the community Pictured L-R Sheriff Leon Lott, Chief Maria Yturria, and Chaplains Marty Wells and Bryan Walker The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) has for decades maintained a viable corps of chaplains, officially the RCSD Chaplaincy Program (spiritual caregivers who serve the needs of those within the department): Primarily

02/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department announces the arrest of Davonte Miles (22). On February 10, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Bluff Rd. and S Stadium Rd. for an improper display of the vehicle tag and window tint violation. After smelling the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle during the traffic stop, a search was conducted of the vehicle. During the search, approximately 20 individual bags of gr

02/09/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Naji Capri Hughes in reference to a driving under the influence incident. On February 7, 2026, just before midnight, Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the area of 7800 Farrow Road in reference to a wrong-way driver. Deputies located the driver, Naji Capri Hughes, on Pisgah Church Road and initiated a traffic stop. After conducting field sobriety testing with Hughes, deputies placed Hughes under arrest

February 6th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Three of the 12 were among MidlandsBiz’s sixty most influential military leaders Pictured (L-R) are Lt. Col. James E. Smith Jr., Sheriff (Maj. Gen.) Leon Lott, and Brig. Gen. Marie Goff The Riley Institute at Furman University recognized 12 Fellows in the Institute’s February 2026 “Fellows in the News.” Among those recognized were Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, former State Representative James E. Smith Jr., and Brig. Gen. Darlen

01/28/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the findings of the Citizens Advisory Council following their review of the incident that occurred on December 6, 2025 and televised on On-Patrol: Live. As previously stated, the case was presented to both the Council and the Magistrate for review. On, Saturday, January 17, 2026 the Citizens Advisory Council had the opportunity to review all the information to include body cam, and dash cam videos. Following a thorough review, they recomme

01/28/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Cohanskie Goodson, 30, after using excessive force on an inmate in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. On January 22, 2026, at just before 3:00 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center at the request of an investigator working at the jail. It was reported to deputies that a corrections officer within the jail utilized a knee strike to an inmate’s face causing a laceration above his eye and render