Columbia police make arrests in 2 separate fatal shootings, chief says
Two men have been arrested in connection to separate fatal shootings, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Marion Oates, 42, and Brandon Jackson, 25, have been charged with murder and other crimes following two separate shootings on Aug. 2 and Jan. 22, respectively.
Oates is accused of killing 50-year-old Edward E. Willis, who was found by EMS workers inside a home at the 5500 block of Randall Avenue early on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 2, a news release said. Oates was taken into custody on the same day after EMS notified police of their discovery.
In addition to murder, Oates was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, the release said. He was booked at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Following a separate shooting on Jan. 22, at the 100 block of Doctor’s Circle, police charged Jackson with armed robbery with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, possession of weapon during a violent crime and criminal conspiracy, besides murder, according to the release.
The victim was identified by the Richland County Coroner’s Office as 27-year-old Creighvion Benjamin.
Jackson’s arrest follows Nicholas S. Jackson Jr., 19, who in January was charged with murder in Benjamin’s death.
Nicholas Jackson was also charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon and remains in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, the release said.
Police say additional arrests for Benjamin’s murder are pending.
