Crime & Courts

Shooting at Olive Garden leads to arrest of Lexington County man, officials say

A Lexington County man was charged with multiple crimes after another man was recently shot while in the parking lot of an Olive Garden restaurant, South Carolina officials said.

Brandon Benjamin was arrested after the Dec. 23 shooting at the Olive Garden Italian Kitchen on Harbison Boulevard, the Columbia Police Department said late Monday night. That’s a popular shopping area between Exit 103 on Interstate 26 and St. Andrews Road which is densely packed with retail businesses in shopping malls and restaurants.

The 31-year-old Gaston resident was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, Richland County court records show.

Benjamin is accused of shooting a female acquaintance’s male friend in the arm, police said.

The victim suffered a non-life-threatening injury and a tourniquet was was applied at the scene before EMS arrived, according to police.

No other injuries were reported.

Information about a motive for the shooting was not available.

Court records show Benjamin was arrested on Dec. 23, and bond was set at $250,000. He’s being held at the Lexington County Detention Center, and is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 2.

BEHIND THE STORY

MORE

This is a breaking news story

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

Related Stories from The State in Columbia SC
Noah Feit
The State
Noah Feit is a Real Time reporter with The State focused on breaking news, public safety and trending news. The award-winning journalist has worked for multiple newspapers since starting his career in 1999. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW