Three boys were fatally shot and a fourth wounded by three teen suspects when a fight “over something stupid” broke out Sunday afternoon.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott announced Tuesday that two 17-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy were arrested on three counts of murder, attempted murder, and weapons possession in connection with the massacre that left the Columbia community shaken.
The victims were identified as 16-year-old Jakobe Fanning; 16-year-old Caleb Wise, and 17-year-old Dre’Von Riley.
Lott said that the shooting occurred following a fight over “something stupid” dating back from a couple of years.
“Three kids are dead,” the Sheriff said. “If that doesn’t shock you, then something’s wrong. So we gotta do something…Now is time for action.”
Richland County Councilwoman Gretchen Barron added: “Here we are once again. Young people got guns and they make poor choices. Now, it’s left up to us as a community.”
The three victims and at least one of the suspected juveniles were students at Eau Claire High School in Columbia.
“This is an imaginable tragedy, and we ask everyone to keep the students’ families and the students and staff at Eau Claire High School in your thoughts and prayers,” Superintendent Craig Witherspoon said.
