Man arrested in Saturday shooting death

Columbia authorities charged Michael Antonio Robinson, 23, with murder Wednesday in connection with the shooting death Saturday morning of a Columbia man outside a downtown night club, the police announced in a news release.

The victim was identified as 23-year-old Rodney Kendall Francis II, of Columbia, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. He died of multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Officers responded to a shots fired call at the 1000 block of Lady Street shortly before 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Police Chief Skip Holbrook said in a news release. When police arrived, they found Francis unresponsive on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, Holbrook said.

Preliminary information indicates Francis was leaving Club Rue 77 at 1301 Assembly St. with several other people before the shooting occurred, Holbrook said, adding investigators believe the shooting may have stemmed from an argument and fight between at least two groups.

Several witnesses told police that shots were fired from a black and gray Chevy Avalanche. Police released a surveillance image of the suspected vehicle.

Robinson was being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Wednesday night. More details from Columbia Police are expected to be released Thursday.

STAFF REPORTS