No arrests, suspect at large in fatal Finlay Park shooting

Police are searching for clues after a man was fatally shot in Columbia’s Finlay Park during an apparent argument Saturday.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said he has identified the 37-year-old victim but will not release his name until he can locate the man’s family. The man in surgery just before 3 a.m. Sunday, from a gunshot wound to the upper body, Watts said.

The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Saturday in the upper area of the park. The homicide appears to be the first killing in the park in the park’s 27-year history. Columbia assistant city manager Allison Baker said Sunday that he is unaware of any shootings in the park’s history in at least the 20 years he has been in city government.

Details about the shooting were still limited Sunday. Columbia police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said police do not have a suspect in custody.

The victim and the shooter may have been arguing before the shooting, Timmons said.

This story was originally published May 28, 2017 at 10:25 AM with the headline "No arrests, suspect at large in fatal Finlay Park shooting."