New details in Columbia’s Planned Parenthood shooting reveal extent of injuries
Warrants obtained by the Columbia police describe how the victim in the shooting outside of Columbia’s Planned Parenthood clinic on Nov. 14 was wounded in the chest. An unnamed man was shot during a confrontation with the founder of an anti-abortion group that has been picketing one of South Carolina’s two Planned Parenthood clinics for more than a decade.
Mark Baumgartner, founder of the anti-abortion group A Moment of Hope was arrested and charged following the shooting.
Warrants obtained by The State describe Baumgartner as shooting the victim in the “stomach area” during an altercation. The warrants, issued by the Columbia Police Department, charge Baumgartner with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
The victim, who is not named in the warrants, was transported to Prisma Health. It is common for victim’s names to be redacted or not included in charging documents.
Video from the incident shows the unnamed victim and Baumgartner engaged in what appears to be a verbal confrontation. The victim approaches Baumgartner with his hands in his pockets while Baumgartner filmed him with a cellphone. On the video, Baumgartner can be seen suddenly pepper spraying the victim who then begins to chase Baumgartner.
The two men end up in a physical struggle and fall to the ground. Two other members of A Moment of Hope rushed to help Baumgartner, including a woman with a drawn gun. As the victim swings at Baumgartner, the anti-abortion activist drew a pistol and shot him.
The warrant describes Baumgartner’s actions as “likely to produce death or great bodily injury.”
Baumgartner has a first appearance scheduled for Jan. 30 at the Richland County Courthouse. First appearances take place 30 to 60 days after an individual is charged. The main purpose of the appearance is to determine if a defendant has retained counsel.
It is unclear if Baumgartner has retained an attorney. Currently, he is listed as “pro se” in the public court index, meaning that he is representing himself.
If Baumgartner has representation, he will not be required to attend.