Gunman charged after he and other man are injured in Vista club shooting, police say
Two people were injured by gunfire in the Vista early Sunday morning, the Columbia Police Department said.
The shooting occurred at about 2 a.m. in the 900 block of Gervais Street, Lt. A.E. Rease told The State. Several restaurants, bars and clubs are in the downtown area.
It happened at Social Bar and Lounge, when Willie Lee Jones fired a shotgun at club security, police said in a news release.
Security asked Jones to leave the club near closing time, and when he was slow to comply they “removed” the 33-year-old, according to the release.
Jones returned with a gun and fired inside the business, striking a 26-year-old man in the upper body, police said.
A member of management returned fire, hitting Jones who then left the scene and was later located at a hospital in a neighboring county, according to the release.
While hospitalized, Jones was interviewed by officers, and upon his release criminal charges were filed against him, police said.
Jones was charged with four counts of attempted murder, and possession of a deadly weapon during a crime, jail records show. He’s being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, and no bond has been set, according to jail records.
Medical staff at the area hospital where the 26-year-old is being treated said his injury appears to be non-life threatening, according to the release.
Further information on his condition was not available.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
This story was originally published January 5, 2020 at 12:34 PM.
