Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott Holds Emotional Press Conference to Address Separate Shootings at Columbia Place Mall and Blythewood Road, Urges Parents to Intervene as Teen Gun Violence Rises
COLUMBIA, SC — April 12, 2025 — In a sobering press conference on Friday, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott addressed the public with critical updates regarding two recent shootings that have shaken the community—one at Columbia Place Mall and the other on Blythewood Road. Sheriff Lott used the moment not only to provide investigative details but to issue a heartfelt call to action to parents and guardians across the county.
Columbia Place Mall Shooting
The first incident took place on April 2 at Columbia Place Mall, a once-bustling shopping center now under increased scrutiny following the mid-afternoon gunfire that sent bystanders scrambling for cover. According to investigators, a confrontation between several individuals escalated into a shooting inside the mall. A victim sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, no one else was physically injured, but the chaos caused lasting emotional trauma to shoppers and employees.
Among those at the scene was a mother pushing her baby in a stroller, underscoring the danger the gunmen posed to innocent bystanders. Sheriff Lott confirmed that deputies arrested 18-year-old Grant Rawls, who is now facing charges of Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. The weapon believed to be used in the shooting was recovered during his arrest.
Authorities continue searching for three additional individuals believed to be connected to the incident. Surveillance footage, community tips, and ongoing interviews are aiding in their identification.
Blythewood Road Shooting
The second incident occurred just days later, on April 5 around 2:00 a.m., in the 200 block of Blythewood Road. Deputies responded to a report of a person shot and found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower body. That victim was transported to the hospital and is currently recovering.
Investigative efforts led to the arrests of 18-year-old Darrell Birch and 18-year-old Nahjere Suber, both of whom are also facing charges of Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature. Authorities believe more individuals were involved, and the Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to identify and apprehend those additional suspects.
A Message to Parents and the Community
In one of the most emotional portions of the press conference, Sheriff Lott addressed the disturbing trend of teenagers becoming involved in dangerous, often fatal, confrontations involving firearms. He pleaded with parents to take an active role in their children’s lives, emphasizing the importance of awareness, supervision, and open communication.
“If your kid was out at 2 o’clock in the morning with a gun, you need to ask why. If your child is posting weapons on social media or associating with violent groups, it’s time to step in,” Sheriff Lott said.
He also noted that in several recent cases, parents have turned a blind eye to warning signs that could have prevented violence.
Sheriff Lott concluded by reaffirming his department’s commitment to public safety and urging anyone with information on either case to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Office or submit tips anonymously via Crimestoppers.
Ongoing Investigations
Both shooting investigations remain active. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and following up on leads to ensure all responsible parties are brought to justice. Sheriff Lott stated that while arrests have been made, these cases are far from over.
For the latest updates, the full press conference is available for public viewing on the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Sheriff Lott’s message was clear: preventing violence requires not only law enforcement intervention but also community cooperation and parental accountability.