14-year-old killed in Richland County shooting, 3 additional teenagers arrested for murder

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that left one 14-year-old dead, and three minors have been arrested for the murder.

Deputies responded to reports of a shooting in a wooded area near the 2400 block of Kneece Road around 7:45 p.m. Monday, March 7.

Deputies then arrived on the scene to find a teen with multiple gunshot wounds.

When the incident was originally announced by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, a 16-year-old male had been arrested in connection with this case on a weapons charge.

On Monday three additional arrests were made, according to Sheriff Leon Lott.

Two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old have each been charged with murder. The 15-year-old has been additionally charged with possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

According to the deputies, the juveniles were arrested at their home on March 15. Their names are not being released due to their ages, Lott says.

Richland County investigators believe the homicide is potentially gang related.

“It is always devastating to lose such a young person to gun violence,” Sheriff Lott said. “It is sad to think that these kids are out here killing each other and taking someone’s life means nothing to them.”

Sheriff Lott stressed the 14-28 age group is where he is seeing violent crimes and loss of life, and says it is a community problem.

“We need the community to help us save the kids,” Lott said.

All four suspects were taken to the juvenile wing of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

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