Nearly a dozen people, mostly teenagers, were injured in a shooting Saturday morning when several after-prom parties converged on a Columbia park, officials said.
Around 1:20 a.m. Saturday, the sheriff’s department said deputies received a call about a “large gathering of juveniles” at Meadowlake Park off Wilson Boulevard. When deputies arrived, the department said they found most of the people had fled after the shots were fired.
But they soon started getting calls to send gunshot victims to local hospitals, deputies said.
Of the 11 people injured in the rally, nine were shot, according to the sheriff’s department. An unidentified woman at the scene suffered lower-body injuries after being hit by a car, and another victim suffered a hand injury, the sheriff’s department said in a statement. It is believed that students from different high schools in the area took part in the meeting. The victims were between 16 and 20 years old.
“Our hearts go out to the families,” said Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “Prom season is supposed to be the highlight of your high school years and an opportunity to create memories that last a lifetime. It’s horrible that we have people who ruined this opportunity for memories for so many.”
Reached Saturday morning, the sheriff’s department said it could not provide additional information about the victims’ conditions.
More than 50 rounds are believed to have been fired at the park, said Rickenmann, who has been briefed on the situation.
The sheriff’s department said its investigators have already recovered dozens of scattered shell casings from various gun calibers littering the park.
Two people were arrested after the sheriff’s department said they fled a traffic stop while leaving the scene.
The department said Miquise Fulwiley allegedly fled after officers tried to pull him over for driving without headlights. Fulwiley, 19, was arrested after a foot chase and a handgun was recovered from the car.
The sheriff’s department said officers are working to determine if the gun was used in the shooting.
Fulwiley and his 18-year-old passenger, Ty’Quan Kelly, were arrested and charged with simple possession of marijuana and unlawfully carrying a handgun. Fulwiley was also charged with failure to stop for blue lights.
“This is an active and ongoing investigation with a very large crime scene,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “Investigators are still working to interview the victims and others involved. Updates will be provided as they become available.”
Columbia Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said they were asked to assist the sheriff’s department, which is leading the investigation.
The sheriff’s department said the meeting “was not a park-sponsored event,” and the Richland County Recreation Commission is fully cooperating with the investigation. Meadowlake Park is currently closed, according to a Richland County Recreation Commission representative.
“I hope the people who were there will help us capture and arrest those people who committed this act,” Rickenmann said, stressing that the city would continue to work with communities to identify people and places that may be contributing to the violence. .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at crimesc.com or use the P3 Tips app.
All information can be provided anonymously.
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