Richland Deputies Search for Suspect in Piney Grove Road Shooting

The Richland County Sheriff's Department has identified a suspect in the shooting death of a man found lying in the middle of Piney Grove Road.

Michael Vann, 32, is wanted for murder, according to a news release.

Vann is accused of shooting a 23-year-old black male multiple times in the upper body just after 11:30 p.m. on June 1 at 1320 Piney Grove Road. 

A Richland County K-9 unit who was patrolling the area found the man after they heard gunshots. 

The man, identified by the Richland County Coroner's Office as Cedrick L. Blackwell of Columbia, was taken to Palmetto Health Richland where he was pronounced dead.

Sheriff Leon Lott said in the release that the two men have known each other for some time, and had an ongoing altercation – one of which occurred earlier in the day Saturday.   

Vann is described as 6 feet tall, weighing about 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information about the location of Vann, call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.