Crime & Courts

Columbia Police announce arrests in summer murder of Keenan High student

Columbia police Chief Skip Holbrook announced the arrests of two people in the shooting death of a Keenan High School student in June, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
Columbia police Chief Skip Holbrook announced the arrests of two people in the shooting death of a Keenan High School student in June, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. jaharris@thestate.com

Two people have been arrested in the shooting death of a Keenan High School student last summer, Columbia police announced Wednesday.

Two males — Tonie Wilson, 20, and a 16-year-old juvenile — have been charged with murdering rising high school senior Julian Keel, who was killed during an overnight shooting in June. Both suspects were arrested Wednesday, Wilson in Sumter by members of the U.S. Marshal Service’s Carolinas Regional Task Force and Columbia police, and the juvenile in Lexington County, Holbrook said.

Keel was killed early June 3 after large groups gathered for a graduation party at the 1400 block of Colonial Life Boulevard, police said. He was shot in the parking lot of Roll-Out Wangz, Eggrollz and Thangz bar and restaurant, police said.

More than 50 rounds were fired from at least four different guns, police said. Keel was trying to leave when he was shot in the upper body, according to police.

Wilson is being charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature.

The juvenile, who police did not identify because of his age, is also being charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a firearm under 18.

The 16-year-old was on supervised released, wearing an ankle monitor, for car theft at the time of the shooting, police say. He’s currently being charged as a juvenile.

This story was originally published October 2, 2024 at 5:36 PM.

Javon L. Harris
The State
Javon L. Harris is a crime and courts reporter for The State. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. Before coming to South Carolina, Javon covered breaking news, local government and social justice for The Gainesville Sun in Florida. Support my work with a digital subscription
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