West Columbia Police Department in the early stages of shots fired investigation

West Columbia, SC (Paul Kirby) – Several residents of West Columbia’s Hammond Avenue dialed 911 early Monday morning after they heard what was described as several gunshots fired. Police received the call regarding the shots just before 4:00 a.m. The department had officers on the scene in a matter of moments. Hammond Avenue runs off Augusta Road close to the Chik-Fil-A and the Jarvis Klapman / Augusta Road split.

According to the callers and witnesses, the shots were believed to have been fired from a vehicle driving along the street. Once the first West Columbia officers arrived, they began interviewing witnesses in hopes of making a quick identification of that vehicle or the shooter/s. Officers did locate some shell casings and those were being protected until they could be collected by evidence technicians. West Columbia’s on-call investigator was notified and enroute. Officers from the Cayce Department of Public Safety and deputies from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department also responded to assist.

The areas and streets closest to Hammond Avenue were quickly closed by officers. Although law enforcement officers flooded the area, no first responders or EMS personnel were dispatched to the area where the shots were fired.

This investigation is still in its very early stages. We will try and provide further information as it becomes available.