Fundraiser started to help family of 7-year-old killed in Columbia shooting
An outpouring of support is going to the family of a 7-year-old boy who was killed in a shooting in Columbia.
A fundraiser for the family of Knowledge Sims has raised over $10,000 in four days.
Knowledge was killed in a May 1 shooting while at his home on Tarragon Drive. His 13-year-old sister was also shot.
“He was an incredible son, brother and nephew and had such a bright future ahead of him,” Jasmine Sanders said for the fundraiser. “We will forever cherish and miss him.”
Knowledge enjoyed football, video games and being with his family, his relatives said.
Sanders, Knowledge’s aunt, organized the online drive and said the money will go toward funeral costs and medical expenses for Knowledge’s sister. She had surgery after being shot in the arm and is recovering, according to police.
Police believe two gunmen shot dozens of rounds from outside, targeting the house where Knowledge lived with his mother, grandmother and six siblings. As of last week, police had not ascertained a motive for the shooting, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said. Investigators are interviewing witnesses and following all leads and theories. The shooters have not been found and Columbia Police Department is asking for information from the public to help make arrests.
In an emotional news conference Thursday, Holbrook said “We know as we speak right now that people know who did this and why it occurred.”
“If a murder of a seven year old … doesn’t tear at your heart, I don’t know what will,” he said while asking for the public’s help finding the shooters.
As of Saturday, investigators had only received one call in tip, Columbia Police Department said.
Holbrook and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin called the shooting an act of cowardice and called for justice to be served.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Columbia Police Department or report it to CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip or call the ATF Tip Line at 888-283-8477. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for calls to the ATF tip line that lead to arrests can offer up to $25,000 reward, Holbrook said.
To donate to the fundraiser for Knowledge Sims’ family visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/justice-for-knowledge