No charges yet in S.C. Christmas Eve shooting of 4-year-old
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Police confirmed there are no charges yet in the deadly Christmas Eve shooting of 4-year-old Jah’el Walker in South Carolina.
However, that could change as police said said investigators will meet with the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office to review the case.
The shooting happened in the parking lot of the Once Upon a Child store off Harbison Boulevard. Police said Walker was inside of a car with several other children but still have not confirmed how he was shot.
As the investigation into his death continues, a memorial set up in his honor continues to grow.
A typically busy shopping center stood still on the afternoon of Christmas Eve as people watched while investigators worked to piece together how the tragedy unfolded.
“He was in the vehicle with siblings. The mother was nearby but not in the vehicle. So, we’re obviously talking to her,” said Columbia Police Chief William “Skip” Holbrook, just moments after that deadly shot was fired.
“It’s a very difficult situation. Especially given this time of year, other children were present. We’re just saying a prayer for the family,” he said.
Holbrook said Jah’el was taken to the hospital. He died later that evening, according to the Lexington County Coroner. Now, a memorial stands in the same place where that shooting occurred.
“It makes me sad because I have a 25-year-old but I also have a 2-year-old grandson and I don’t want someone out here having to put this out for them,” said one shopper while looking at the memorial.
“It’s terrible. It’s awful in general but it’s even worse that it happened on Christmas Eve a time where families are supposed to be spending time together enjoying themselves and to have such an awful tragedy happen is truly heartbreaking,” said another shopper in the area.
A heartbreaking loss that will forever be engraved here off Harbison Blvd.
“It’s just unfortunate that it’s becoming harder and harder to find a safe place to just be,” said another shopper.
WIS reached out to the Columbia Police Department asking for any updates in the ongoing investigation including where the gun came from. A spokesperson said, right now, they’re still going through evidence and trying to put together a timeline.
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