Man shot to death near grade school in Columbia. Sheriff is investigating.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting death that took place Thursday evening near Forest Heights Elementary School in Columbia.

Deputies were dispatched to the corner of Widgean Drive and Blue Ridge Terrace shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday after a report of a man being shot, the department said.

They found an unresponsive man lying on the side of the road with multiple gunshot wounds.

Marcus Richmond, 31, was arrested in the case. He was charged with murder and taken to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, Sheriff Leon Lott announced.

The man was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics. The Richland County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified him.

There is an ongoing investigation, the sheriff’s department said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.

This story was originally published March 16, 2024 at 9:12 AM.

Alexa Jurado

The State

Alexa Jurado is a news reporter for The State covering Lexington County and Richland County schools. She previously wrote about the University of South Carolina and contributes to this coverage. A Chicago suburbs native, Alexa graduated from Marquette University and previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Milwaukee Press Club and the South Carolina Press Association.