Coroner identifies man killed in Finlay Park shooting; police looking for persons of interest
The man fatally shot Saturday in Columbia’s Finlay Park was identified Monday.
Laron L. Martin, 37, died as a result of a shooting incident, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. The cause of death was from a gunshot wound to the torso, Watts said after performing an autopsy.
The Columbia Police Department is attempting to locate and identify two women who were at Finlay Park shortly before the shooting occurred, said public information liaison Jennifer Timmons. The women are described as black and possibly in their 20s, according to the police, saying one wore a pink dress and the other a gray dress.
Investigators believe the women have information regarding the shooting and can aid the case that remains under investigation by the Columbia Police Department. On Sunday, Timmons said the police do not have a suspect in custody.
The shooting happened at approximately 10:15 p.m. Saturday in the upper area of the park. Martin and the shooter are believed to have been arguing before the shooting, Timmons said.
Martin was transported to an area hospital, where he died at 2:37 a.m. Sunday.
The homicide appears to be the first killing 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.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Staff writer Teddy Kulmala contributed to this report.
This story was originally published May 29, 2017 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Coroner identifies man killed in Finlay Park shooting; police looking for persons of interest."