Executive Summary
- A 17-year-old was arrested following a carjacking and shooting at Shoppes at Stadium in Columbia.
- Charges include three counts of first-degree assault and vehicle hijacking.
- Police utilized Flock Safety cameras to track the stolen vehicle and locate the suspect.
A 17-year-old male has been taken into custody by the Columbia Police Department in connection with a reported carjacking and shooting incident at a local shopping center on Saturday evening.
Law enforcement officers responded to the Shoppes at Stadium at approximately 7:10 p.m. following reports of shots fired and a vehicle hijacking. According to a news release issued by the department, the investigation led to the identification and arrest of a juvenile suspect from Columbia.
Police officials stated that the suspect faces a litany of serious charges, including three counts of first-degree assault, first-degree property damage, vehicle hijacking, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action.
Authorities credited the use of Flock Safety cameras—automated license plate recognition technology—for the rapid location of the stolen vehicle and the subsequent apprehension of the teenager.
Investigative Outlook
The swift apprehension in this case highlights the growing reliance of municipal law enforcement on surveillance infrastructure like license plate readers to solve violent property crimes in real-time. Given the severity of the charges, including multiple counts of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, the judicial processing of the 17-year-old may involve determinations regarding adult certification, though such proceedings typically remain confidential for juveniles during the initial stages. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
