Law enforcement agents gathered at Columbiana Centre Mall to track down active shooters who injured 12 today. Photo courtesy Columbia Police Department.
Columbia Police Department Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook held a press conference this afternoon concerning the Columbiana Centre Mall shooting. He said that at 2:03pm a citizen contacted 9-11 and reported gun fire at the mall. Holbrook said it was “reported near the Gap Store” in the Columbiana Centre Mall with many emergency calls following.
Holbrook said that he doesn’t believe the shooting was a random act. He also said that he believes the “individuals armed knew each other, [and] there was some type of conflict that occurred which resulted in gunfire.” He continued that “this is not a situation where we had some random person show up at a mall to discharge a firearm and injure people.”
He said it is “too early to know” if the shooting was gang related at this time. He did say that more information would be shared as available.
The chief said there were an undetermined number of multiple rounds fired but the number was unknown at this point. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 73 years old. No fatalities were reported by the Richland County Sheriff.
— Columbia Police Dept (@ColumbiaPDSC) April 16, 2022
He said that the report prompted an all agency response with thirteen agencies responding to the multi-jurisdictional mall shooting. At the time of this writing he said that there are still law enforcement officer teams inside the mall clearing the stores one at a time.
The Chief said that all injured people were evacuated after an initial sweep of the mall and got them hooked up with medical personnel. Following that Holbrook said they had stores lock down their stores for security followed by teams going through the mall removing those who had sheltered in place and moving them to the reunification site: Fairfield Inn, 320 Columbiana Drive. Those separated from family or friends may go there or call 803-732-4436.
Holbrook said that there were 12 people injured with no fatalities, with ten of those suffering gunshot wounds, eight being transported to Parkridge, Richland and Lexington hospitals. Two of those wounded are in critical condition, and six are currently stable. Others were injured in the escape.
Holbrook said that three people are being detained as “persons of interest” not suspects at this point, but he said their classification could change. He also said there were three shooters with guns involved and they are currently being held. He noted that at least one person fired a weapon.
The chief said that law enforcement training and preparation paid off in this situation. Lexington, Richland, and Newberry County Sheriff’s Departments, SLED, State Highway Patrol, Triple P, Irmo Police Department, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, US Marshall Service, and the FBI. Additionally, he said Lexington, Richland EMS, and local fire department and mall security staff were all involved. On site also were the Columbia city manager, Mayor, and several city council members.
Holbrook said that “there is not a major event or major scene like [the shooting] that we don’t get a response from our partners at SLED and the FBI.
Mall management and mall security staff were on site and cooperating with law enforcement.
Columbiana Centre released a statement this afternoon saying, “Today’s isolated, senseless act of violence is extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with everyone impacted. We are grateful for the quick response and continued support of our security team and our partners in law enforcement.”
At this time many of the area roads and exits surrounding the area are closed due to the investigation. Holbrook asked that the public avoid the area if possible.
Chief Holbrook said “We know a lot of people saw different things. Please take a moment, collect your thoughts and reach out to law enforcement.” He is asking anyone with information, audio or video to come forward to help with the investigation. Readers with information can contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau hotline at 803-545-3525.
Michael Reed is Publisher of The Standard newspaper, print and online, and TheStandardSC YouTube channel where many video reports may be found. Please share freely and donate to The Standard on this page to assure the continued availability of news that is ignored too often by the dominant media.
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