24-year-old Columbia man charged with murdering roommate and another man, police say
.JPG "A Columbia man has been charged with two counts of murder.")
A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder and other crimes in the death of two men at a Columbia apartment Thursday morning, police said in a news release.
Antonio Vashon Barnes was charged with two counts of murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to the Columbia Police Department’s news release.
Police said Barnes shot and killed his roommate and another man in their Willow Run Apartments residence “after he heard a commotion in the living room and found the two victims arguing and fighting.” The apartment located in the 500 block of Alcott Drive, just off US 321 near Interstate 20.
Officers responded to 911 calls about the shooting around 9 a.m. and when they arrived “found the victims unresponsive on the floor of the apartment,” according to the news release.
Police reported that a large crowd gathered outside the apartment after the shooting, which included “the victims’ family members.”
Barnes will be held at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, police said in the news release.
The names of the victims will be released by the Richland County Coroner’s Office on Friday, according to the police.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
This story was originally published February 7, 2019 at 6:11 PM.
