Police release description of suspect in Columbia fatal shooting

Columbia Police have released a description of a possible suspect in connection with Tuesday’s deadly Beaufort Street shooting.

Timothy Peter Gentry, 32, of Columbia, was pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. after being taken to a local hospital, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said earlier. Gentry was killed Tuesday morning after a shooting broke out just after 1 a.m. in the 1200 block of Beaufort Street near River Drive.

The suspect is described as a thin, dark-skinned black male of medium height with short braids or dreadlocks, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. The suspect was last seen wearing a white tank-top style shirt and dark pants, he said.

Gentry was found lying in the roadway with a gunshot wound to the upper body. Two officers provided aid to Gentry until EMS arrived to take him to an area hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later, Holbrook said.

Officers talked with witnesses who provided information, he said. Investigators are reviewing surveillance videos from near the area and are working to obtain additional video. In addition, two vehicles towed from Beaufort Street have been examined, Holbrook said.

Shandon Presbyterian Church, of which Gentry was a member, released a statement Wednesday saying, “With a heavy heart I am sad to let you know about the death of former Shandon Presbyterian Child Development Center teacher Tim Gentry. Tim taught until about 3 years ago in our school-age program, in our Full Day Fours, and as a sub. He was one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever known. He loved coming to work every day and his infectious smile brightened our days. He truly enjoyed interacting with his students: Anytime I walked by his classroom, he was building in block center, reading to a group on the floor, or involved in some art project. His death has left a void in the hearts of many.”

Noah Feit

This story was originally published July 29, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Police release description of suspect in Columbia fatal shooting."