Innocent bystander wounded in gang-related shooting, Columbia police say

An innocent bystander was injured Thursday evening in what police believe was a gang-related shooting.

The Midlands Gang Task Force is reviewing surveillance video and searching for suspects in connection with the shooting that happened around 6 p.m. Thursday at the Gonzales Gardens Apartments in Columbia.

The shooting victim appears to be an innocent bystander who had just gotten off a bus at the apartments, Columbia Police Department officials say. His leg wound was not life-threatening, according to medical staff.

At least four unidentified men were seen at the scene inside a late 1990s-model light blue Mercury Marquis with tinted windows and several missing hub caps.

Officials believe at least two of the suspects in the car had guns. One is accused of shooting outside the rear passenger’s side window.

In addition to information on the four suspects seen in the car, the Midlands Gang Task Force is searching for 21-year-old Jac-Quel Dimitri Sumter in connection with the incident.

Sumter is a validated gang member and was the intended target of the shooting, officials say.

Once captured, Sumter is expected to be charged with breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting or Sumter’s whereabouts can contact Crimestoppers by calling 888-CRIME-SC; texting tips to CRIMES with “TIPSC” included at the beginning of the message; or submit tips online at www.midlandscrimestoppers.com.

This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 3:47 PM.