Two men shot, killed in Columbia on same day identified by Richland County Coroner
The men killed in unrelated shootings in Columbia on Monday have been identified by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.
Less than eight miles separated the scenes where Coroner Gary Watts said Michael Booker and James Patterson were killed by gunfire.
Booker’s body was found by officers responding to a shots fired call in the 100 block of Rose Drive at about 2 p.m., the Columbia Police Department said on Twitter.
Several hours later, it was discovered that Patterson had been shot at 511 Alcott Drive, police tweeted.
Patterson was taken to an area hospital where he died, according to the tweet.
Alcott Drive is near the intersection with Fairfield Road (U.S. 321), not far from the junction with Interstate 20 at Exit 70.
Information on a Patterson’s shooter, or shooters, was not available.
On Tuesday, police tweeted they arrested Craig Lamar Edwards, and the 49-year-old was charged with murdering Booker.
Edwards is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center and was also charged with kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, jail records show.
Other charges Edwards faces stemming from the incident include sale or delivery and possession of weapons, failure to stop for blue lights, and unlawful carrying of a pistol, Richland County court records show.
Booker, 53, and Edwards knew each other and were seen arguing before the shooting, police said in a news release.
Edwards left the scene in a car, and led police on a chase through North Columbia, police said. It went from Lorick Avenue to Columbia College Drive, and into Earlwood on Richfield Drive before ending in 1200 block of Northwood Street, according to the release.
Booker died at the scene of the shooting, which is near Rose Drive’s intersection with South Kilbourne Road. that’s less than a mile from Hunter-Gatherer Brewery/Taproom and City Roots.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
