COLUMBIA, SC — A man killed after allegedly shooting at customers and police while holding up a Columbia bank with three other suspects Friday has been identified.
Ramel P. Wright, 23, of Eastover, died after the robbery of the Wells Fargo bank at Two Notch and Parklane roads Friday morning, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said in a statement Saturday.
The other suspects, 26-year-old Ozzie Carreker, 22-year-old Rashad Hall and 21-year-old Naim Stroman, all from Richland County, were arrested after an intense manhunt by three law enforcement agencies led to their capture.
The four stormed into the bank Friday around 10 a.m., firing machine guns and semi-automatic pistols, police and witnesses said. They ordered customers to get on the floor and threatened to shoot them.
As the suspects made their escape, they shot at police in what turned into a car chase, deputies said. Area schools were put on lockdown as police and tracking dogs searched woods along S.C. 277 and neighborhoods surrounding the bank.
Wright refused to give up when cornered shortly afterward in a neighborhood. He was shot and killed after threatening to kill officers, then reaching a hand into a pocket, the officers said.
Wright died at the scene from a single gunshot wound to the upper body, Watts said. His name was withheld until his family could be notified.
The three suspects each have been charged with armed robbery, three counts of attempted murder and 15 counts of kidnapping.
Because the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Columbia Police Department were both involved, the State Law Enforcement Division is investigating the death, Watts said.


Kershaw county man charged with sexually assaulting a third minor
Haley rebuffs Dem demands that she dismiss controversial advisor

