COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The Columbia Police Department has identified two men arrested following an officer-involved shooting on Vernon Street late Monday afternoon.
Officials say 18-year-old Maurice Pickens is charged with a number of crimes including unlawful delivery of a pistol to a person under the age of 18 and failure to stop on police command.
A 16-year-old is also facing charges including pointing and presenting a firearm.
Investigators say the shooting happened near Vernon Street and Tremont Avenue around 5 p.m. when two officers from the drug suppression team responded after neighbors called about two men with guns in the area.
Regina Brown lives three doors down from the action. She's shaken up. The shooting happened shortly after she got home from work.
"Pulled in my yard, all of a sudden I hear gunfire," said Brown. "My three boys were in the back yard playing. I go to the back and see what's going on. All I saw were cops with their weapons drawn."
When officers arrived, investigators say the suspects pointed a weapon at the two officers. It is not currently clear who shot first, but the 16-year-old was wounded by the officers. Officials say the teen was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
"The officers were confronted with the firearm. We're unsure if the individual had shot, but we know the officer shot, striking one of the individuals," said Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott.
No one else was hurt. Brown is relieved.
"There are children always playing in the street," said Brown. "I thank God they were not out here today."
Because it was an officer-involved shooting, the State Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
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Maurice Pickens (Source: Columbia Police Department)
The shooting scene.
