Police: Victim in fatal Waffle House shooting tried to break up argument

A man was fatally shot when he tried to break up an argument between two men at a Columbia Waffle House early Sunday, according to police.

Wayne A. Bell, 28, died from a gunshot wound to the lower torso, according to Richland County coroner Gary Watts after performing an autopsy.

The shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. outside the Waffle House in the 200 block of Stoneridge Drive, off Greystone Boulevard near I-126, according to the Columbia Police Department.

Eric Nixon, 35, was arrested at a home on Jacob Road and charged with murder, according to police. He was placed in the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Police believe Bell was trying to break up an argument between Nixon and another man when he was shot. Bell was taken to an area hospital where he died at 3:39 a.m.

The Columbia Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

This story was originally published February 12, 2017 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Police: Victim in fatal Waffle House shooting tried to break up argument."