Fatal Shooting Reported After Columbia Home Invasion
I woke up to some troubling news from my own city: a home invasion in Columbia ended in a fatal shooting on the 200 block of Westwood Avenue. When police arrived just before midnight on January 2, they found a man unresponsive, with gunshot injuries, and sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
As I read through the Columbia Police Department’s release, I learned that the suspect, Michael Hampton II, 50, had broken into a nearby home just minutes before the shooting. By January 4, he had been arrested and faces multiple serious charges, including murder, first-degree burglary, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
Hearing this hit me because these are more than headlines — they’re reminders that violent crime can touch any neighborhood, at any time. You can see the police are working quickly, but there’s still a lot we don’t know, like the motive or the victim’s identity. I can’t help but think about the people living nearby, wondering if their own homes are truly safe tonight.
Suspect Profile & Charges
When I dug into the details, the suspect stood out: Michael Hampton II, 50, now in custody. According to the Columbia Police Department’s official update, Hampton is facing murder, first-degree burglary, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon…