Crime & Safety
Formal Inquest to be Held Into Death of Richland County Man
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said he will hold a formal inquest into the death of a man killed in an officer-involved shooting in May.
A formal inquest into the death of a 21-year-old who was killed in an officer-involved shooting near Farrow Road in May will be scheduled for a date in September, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Wednesday.
Ajani Mitchell was shot by Columbia Police officers at a home in the 5800 block of Conveyor Street on May 25. Police responded to the home after a woman reported her son threatened her and that he had a gun.
Three officers were placed on administrative leave with pay, according to a WIS-TV report.
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The State Law Enforcement Division was called to investigate.
Watts said he made the decision to hold the formal inquest after reviewing the SLED report and receiving numerous calls concerning the incident.
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The inquest will be conducted with the Fifth Circuit Solicitor, Watts said. A six-member jury will hear testimony, examine the facts and the evidence, and issue a ruling on the manner of death of Mitchell.
"...this inquiry will allow the citizens to see that the system works and will provide total transparency to the process," he said.
The exact date of the inquest will be released in August.
Interim Police Chief Ruben Santiago released the following statement regarding the case:
"We are a transparent agency. We want to make sure that this investigation is properly explained and that the facts are presented. The officers are the first line of defense for citizens. That night officers were confronted with a dangerous situation and acted appropriately given the circumstances they faced. We want to make sure the facts of the case are being presented accurately.” Santiago adds, "We will continue to assist SLED and the Richland County Coroner's Office.”
Jennifer Timmons, spokeswoman for the Columbia Police Department, said at the time that officers fired at Mitchell because they feared for their own lives and safety.
Police say Mitchell ignored commands to drop his weapon.
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