Columbia, S.C. — In the still hours before dawn Wednesday, the tranquility of the Columbia Garden Apartments was shattered by gunfire. At about 1:30 a.m., authorities responded to reports of shots fired near 4000 Plowden Road. When they got there, they found a man lying outside the complex, unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate CPR efforts by arriving officers until EMS joined, the man was later confirmed dead at the scene. The Richland County Coroner’s Office identified him as Devonte Redmond, a 29-year-old resident of Columbia. His life ended in that moment—no arrests have been made, and the reasons behind the attack remain unclear.
Columbia Police say they’re still piecing together what happened. Investigators, alongside a K-9 unit, combed the area for evidence, hoping to uncover clues to motive and to any person or persons involved. So far, nothing definitive has emerged.
Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook, speaking through his office, urged anyone with information to come forward—even anonymously. Tips can be dropped to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC (1-888-274-6372), or via the P3 Tips app or the Midlands Crimestoppers website.
Neighbors say the area around Garden Apartments has felt tense lately, though no one could immediately point to conflict or danger that might explain this tragic event. Residents described loud noises in the early hours but had no clear view of what led up to the shooting.
Authorities are urging calm but also vigilance — they hope someone seeing or hearing anything suspicious that night will reach out. For now, a community mourns a young life lost, and questions linger: who pulled the trigger, and why?
This is a developing story — as more details emerge, updates will follow.