Columbia police charge man in shooting at downtown park
Columbia police charged a man Saturday with attempted murder in a shooting at Finlay Park that left one person hospitalized.
Officers charged 41-year-old Abdue Castleberry with attempted murder and weapon possession.
Columbia Police Department reported a man was shot about 5 p.m. Friday near the stage on the park’s south side, near the corner of Taylor and Assembly streets.
Paramedics took the man to the hospital where he underwent surgery, the department said.
Police detained Castleberry near the park for questioning. Police say Castleberry shot the man during an argument. Police also charged him with selling crack cocaine near a public park.
Officer booked Castleberry at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he was still jailed as of Saturday afternoon. The victim remains hospitalized and is recovering, police said.
In February and March 2020, police charged Castleberry with selling crack cocaine, first-degree assault and battery and a gun offense, according to court records. He was out of jail on bond, police said. Court records show Castleberry was out on $125,000 bond. Those charges are pending.
Attempted murder is punishable with up to 30 years in prison. Depending on a person’s criminal background, distribution of cocaine is punishable with three to 10 years.
This story was originally published January 16, 2021 at 9:27 AM.