Teen nabbed in Georgia after shooting left 2 dead and 1 injured in Richland neighborhood (2024)

COLUMBIA— A 16-year-old was arrested in Georgia in connection to a shooting outside a Columbia-area home that killed two and injured another.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on July 9, more than 20 rounds were fired from a vehicle on Hickory Ridge Drive, a neighborhood south of Fort Jackson, according to the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

When deputies arrived, two people in a vehicle in the home's yard were shot and unresponsive, according to the department. Another victim was near the home's front porch and had non-life-threatening injuries.

The men in the vehicle — Dominic Goodwin andXavier J. Hopkins, both 22 and from Columbia— died,Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said.

"This was an ambush," Sheriff Leon Lott said.

Investigators identified the 16-year-old as a suspect and tracked him down to a home in Fairburn, Ga., Lott said. The sheriff's department did not release the name because the suspect is a juvenile. South Fulton Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation assisted the department.

When law enforcement responded to the home, the teenager barricaded himself inside, Lott said. Officers then breached the residence and detained him.

The 16-year-old was charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and two weapons charges.

"We've had 16 murders so far in Richland County. We've solved all 16 murders," Lott said. "If you go out there and you commit murder, we're going to come get you."

In recent months, Lott has indicated there is an ongoing problem with young people and guns.

"I’ve said it many times and will continue to say it, the guns will only get you one of two places ... the cemetery or jail,” Lott said.

Following the teenager's arrest, Lott said more needs to be done to prevent shootings among youth and called for more classroom time for school resource officers.

"They can make an impact," Lott said about the more than 100 school resource officers in the county.

Investigators are still searching for suspects in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at 803-576-3000 or submit an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers.