May 15th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Late June-early July fitness event will celebrate America’s 250th birthday The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with RCSD’s 250-LBS BENCH PRESS CHALLENGE: Either for one-repetition or multiple reps: The six-day event beginning June 28 and ending July 3. At a minimum, the participant must complete one repetition of 250 lbs. on the bench press. Multiple repetitions are encouraged with numb

May 12th, 2026 By: W. Thomas Smith Jr. Sheriff Lott: “We will never forget those we’ve lost, nor their loved ones” S.C. Senate President Thomas Alexander and Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott prior to a memorial service in front of the law enforcement memorial on S.C. State House grounds, May 6, 2026 Throngs of law enforcement officers (including sheriffs and police chiefs), state legislators, S.C. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and a class o

05/12/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the arrest of Corey Gibbons (44; DOB: 09/21/81) and stresses the importance of SROs in schools following the shooting incident that occurred at Horrell Hill Elementary School on the afternoon of May 11, 2026. On May 11, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., the SRO of Horrell Hill Elementary School was patrolling the area of the school to ensure the safety of students when a vehicle began to follow her. The vehicle continued to fo

05/11/26 During the incident, a Richland County School Resource Officer’s vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire. Neither the deputy nor any students were injured. This remains an isolated incident and is not believed to be connected to the school, its staff, or students. The suspect sustained injuries during the incident; however, investigators are still working to determine how those injuries occurred. The investigation remains ongoing. Please see the original release

05/10/26 The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting involving a Forest Acres police officer at Relapse Bar & Grill located at 5024 Two Notch Rd. On May 10, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., a Forest Acres police officer heard gun shots coming from the area of Two Notch Rd. near Relapse Bar & Grill. Another Forest Acres officer began to circulate the 5000 block of Two Notch Rd. when a vehicle driving erratically almost struck the officer’s vehicle. Th

05/07/26 Sheriff Leon Lott announces the detention of a 13-year-old following a vehicle pursuit in a stolen car. On May 6, 2026, just before 8:00 pm, deputies observed a stolen vehicle operating on Broad River Road. At the intersection of Broad River Road and I-20, deputies initiated a traffic stop on the stolen vehicle, at which time, the driver fled. The driver, 13-years-old, led deputies on a pursuit that ended when the suspect drove off-road into a wooded area behind Fore