On September 24, 2023, a shooting incident occurred on Saddletrail Road in Columbia, South Carolina, resulting in three casualties.
Following the incident, Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived and discovered four individuals with gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, three of these individuals did not survive after being rushed to the hospital.
The deceased teens are Caleb Wise and Dre’von Riley, both 16, along with Jakobe Fanning, 17. They were all students at Eau Claire High School. Another teen, a 14-year-old, sustained injuries but after medical attention, was released from the hospital.
Two 17-year-old suspects, Jahkeem Griffin and Karlos Gibson, are currently in custody. They have been charged with three counts of murder, an attempted murder count, and multiple weapons offenses.
Sheriff Leon Lott has pointed to an older burglary dispute as a possible origin for this tragic event. Columbia, South Carolina has now seen 17 teenagers involved in shooting incidents in 2023 alone.