Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced today the arrest of three people in connection with the gang related homicide that occurred on May 23, 2008 at 525 Alcott Drive. Sheriff Lott stated that around 11:00 PM deputies responded to a call of shots being fired at the Hillendale Apartments – upon arrival deputies spotted Alex J. Smith (17 DOB 7-22-90) fleeing the scene and tossing a pistol into the bushes. Deputies arrested Smith for unlawful carrying of a pistol and recovered a .22 caliber pistol from the bushes – as deputies were arresting Smith a call came in that a body had been found near buildings 18 and 19 of the apartments. I nvestigators have learned that Smith and the 18 year old murder victim arrived at the apartments together to visit someone – when a group of opposing gang members spotted them and confronted them over an ongoing dispute. Sheriff Lott stated that a 15 year old with a shotgun and a 15 year old with a .38 caliber pistol opened fire hitting the victim in the head and an apartment building. The 15 year old with the shotgun has been arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill for possessing the shotgun and attempting to fire it at several people; while the 15 year old with the .38 has been charged with murder because his bullets struck and killed the victim.Sheriff Lott stated that investigators solved this case through interviews with witnesses, recovery of evidence at the scene and interviews with those involved in the ongoing dispute and the altercation on May 23 at the apartments. This incident clearly illustrates the ongoing issue with youth violence and gangs and that only through continued work with the community will the issues of gangs be solved.
May 28, 2008 | |||
