Air Force captain charged with assault

Columbia police say victim was critically injured after being shoved outside bar

By LEE HIGGINS - lhiggins@thestate.com

U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher J. Todaro was arrested Wednesday and charged with shoving a man outside a bar Saturday, leaving him in critical condition.

Todaro, 28, a pilot in the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base and the husband of News19 anchor Andrea Mock, is charged with assault and battery with intent to kill.

He is accused of shoving a man outside Locals, a Harden Street bar, at about 2:45 a.m., Columbia Police Capt. Thomas Dodson said.

Todaro and another man allegedly shoved the victim after the victim reportedly touched a number of women inappropriately, including Mock, police said.

When Todaro shoved him, police said, the man fell, smashing his head into the window of a car and shattering the glass.

The man was found unconscious and taken to Palmetto Health Richland, where he remains in critical condition, police said.

Todaro turned himself in Wednesday morning, Dodson said. He is at Richland County jail, awaiting a 5 p.m. bail hearing.

Efforts to reach Mock for comment were unsuccessful.

Judy Lewis, deputy chief of public affairs for the 20th Fighter Wing, said, “We’re confident in the justice system and look forward to a fair resolution here.”

Reach Higgins at (803) 771-8570.