Parents of Shooting Victim to File Wrongful Death Suit Against Columbia Police

Chrissie Cole

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

Parents of a Columbia man shot to death in a standoff with Columbia Police and Richland County Sheriff deputies last month have retained a lawyer and are preparing to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Officers tried to reason with him. In the end, the man armed with a knife, was shot and killed by a deputy. During the standoff, prior to his death, he had set fire to his house twice and was shot and wounded by a Columbia Officer.

His stepfather says he was "shot like a dog," and says both agencies bear responsibility.

The parents and members of the Samson Circle community want answers from Columbia Chief of Police.

The Chief was in charge of the response to his actions. He made the call to bring in the SWAT team, and multiple sources say that decision continues to be heavily criticized in the law enforcement community.

The Chief has been in the hot seat for allowing his son close to the shooting scene. Ultimately helping to jumpstart a review of Columbia Police Operations.

To make matters worse, he was named in a complaint filed in May by one of his own officers. The complaints have been handed to a labor attorney.