Columbia man killed in shooting publicly identified by Richland County coroner

A South Carolina man with a felony conviction has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm but will not face murder charges after he shot and killed a man who intentionally rammed a woman’s car at a Columbia-area gas station.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department announced Tuesday that it would not be charging SteveraSmall with murder in the death of Steven Burchfield, who was shot and killed at the Citgo gas station at 1704 Leesburg Road after Burchfield intentionally crashed his car into the woman’s vehicle following an argument.

“It’s sad that this situation escalated the way it did,” Sheriff Leon Lott said. “What started as an exchange of words led to one life gone and two others changed forever.”

Investigators say Burchfield got into an argument with an unnamed woman in the parking lot of a restaurant on Garners Ferry Road. When the woman tried to drive away, Burchfield aggressively followed her car, according to the sheriff’s department.

Fearing for her safety, the woman called Small, who remained on the phone with her as Burchfield followed close behind her car at high speeds, according to investigators. It is unknown what relationship the woman has with Small.

As the woman turned into the Citgo gas station with Burchfield chasing her, he rammed her car, causing both vehicles to crash. Witnessing the collision, Small saw Burchfield climb from the wreck and approach the woman.

“Fearing for the woman’s safety, he fired shots at Burchfield,” deputies said.

Deputies responding to reports of shots fired arrived to find Burchfield shot in the lower body. He was was taken to a hospital where he died, according to deputies.

Small was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a 2018 conviction for armed robbery. He was arrested without incident and incarcerated at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

“If you find yourself in a situation where you’re scared for your safety on the road or anywhere else, call 911 immediately,” Lott said.

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This story was originally published May 6, 2023 at 9:52 AM.

Ted Clifford

The State

803-771-8315

Ted Clifford is the statewide accountability reporter at The State Newspaper. Formerly the crime and courts reporter, he has covered the Murdaugh saga, state and federal court, as well as criminal justice and public safety in the Midlands and across South Carolina. He is the recipient of the 2023 award for best beat reporting by the South Carolina Press Association.