Columbia, SC mall shooting: Two men arrested, another wanted

A second person has been arrested following the shooting at Columbiana Centre mall over the weekend, and the Columbia Police Department is searching for another man it called “armed and dangerous.”

Marquise Love Robinson, a 20-year-old from Columbia, was charged with attempted murder, unlawful carrying of a pistol and nine counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, Police Chief Skip Holbrook said Monday at a news conference.

Robinson was taken into custody in Columbia, according to Holbrook.

Holbrook asked for the public’s help in locating a third suspect, Amari Sincere-Jamal Smith, who the police chief said is also wanted for attempted murder, unlawful carrying of a pistol and nine counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Smith, a 21-year-old from Columbia, goes by the nickname “Mari,” and Holbrook said he “absolutely should be considered armed and dangerous.”

Additionally, more charges were filed against 22-year-old Jewayne M. Price, who was arrested Sunday on one count of unlawful carrying of a pistol. On top of that, Price now has been charged with one count of attempted murder and nine counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, Holbrook said.

“We had three people who showed at a crowded mall Saturday … carrying weapons, and they fired their guns, and we had nine people hit by gunfire,” Holbrook said. “Innocent people got injured in the crossfire.”

The injury toll has also risen since Sunday. Holbrook said there are now 15 people who were injured in Saturday’s shooting, but none died.

The 15th victim was injured while standing beside someone who was hit by gunfire, Holbrook said. It was not a life-threatening injury, according to Holbrook.

Nine of the injured were hit by gunfire and six others were hurt as people rushed to exit, according to the Columbia Police Department.

The victims range in age from 15 to 73 years old, police said. The 73-year-old woman was the only victim who continued to receive medical treatment at a local hospital, according to police. Prisma Health said the woman was still being treated Monday and was listed as being in fair condition.

Holbrook said police are still seeking information from people who were at the mall on Saturday. “This was a traumatic event, and sometimes it takes time for something to register or to remember something,” Holbrook said. “Every little piece of information is helpful.”

When he was charged Sunday, Price’s bond was set at $25,000, according to Richland County court records. He is scheduled to appear in court again on the unlawful carrying of a pistol charge on June 9.

Both Price and Robinson are being held at the Lexington County Detention Center. Robinson will have a bond hearing on Tuesday morning, Holbrook said.

The police chief said the motive for the shooting was an “ongoing dispute between the people we identified as suspects.” The three men knew each other before the shooting, Holbrook said.

Price’s attorney, state Rep. Todd Rutherford, said Price “defended himself” from shooters who were targeting him.

“I don’t share that understanding of it,” Holbrook said Monday.

Holbrook said the first 911 call regarding the shooting came in at 2:03 p.m. Saturday, and hundreds of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies reported to the mall after the shooting.

Police have seized two guns they believe were used in the shooting, and the weapons along with other evidence will be processed at the State Law Enforcement Division lab, Holbrook said.

Holbrook said Columbia police work with businesses at Columbiana and elsewhere to take security measures and ensure there is surveillance footage of the area in case a crime occurs.

“We also advocate for there to be consequences, so there’s a deterrent that makes you think before you carry a firearm into a mall,” Holbrook said.

Anyone who sees Smith, or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911, or police at (803) 545-3525.

This story was originally published April 18, 2022 2:57 PM.