Crime & Safety
Update: Columbia Police Charge Teen in Fatal Weekend Shooting
A 22-year-old died after she was shot while riding in a vehicle near Farrow Road Sunday.

Update, 11:31 p.m.:Β A 16-year-old was charged in the shooting death of a Gaston woman who was shot while riding in a vehicle in Columbia Sunday.Β
Deante Dominic-Ali Wittich was arrested Monday evening by Columbia PoliceΒ investigators and members of the Gang UnitΒ at the Arrington Place apartments located on Van Heise Street, Columbia Police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said.Β
He is charged with murder and is expected to be tried as an adult.
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Wittich has been charged in connection with death of 22-year-oldΒ Amanda F. McKemie, whoΒ was shot around 1 a.m. Sunday while riding in a vehicle driven by an unidentified man on West Campanella Drive which isΒ near Farrow Road.
The man told investigators the twoΒ were traveling on West Campanella Drive when he heard gunshots.Β
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McKemie was transported by EMS to PalmettoΒ RichlandΒ MemorialΒ Hospital where she was pronounced deadΒ Sunday afternoonΒ from complications of a gunshot wound to the head, Richland County Coroner GaryΒ Watts said. Β
Investigators continue to determine a motive, butΒ do believe the shooting was gang-related andΒ stemmed from a previous altercation, according to a news release.
"This case is yet another example of how gangs destroy lives," Interim Police Chief Ruben Santiago said in a news release.Β "Gang members think they will become notorious by committing crimes when in reality they face significant prison time."
A Crimestoppers tip led to Wittich's arrest, police say, and additional charges may be filed.
If you have information about the shooting or gang violence, call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Original story, 3:58 p.m.:Β The Richland County Coroner's Office has released the name of theΒ woman who was shot early Sunday morningΒ while riding in a vehicle near Farrow Road in Columbia.
Amanda F. McKemie, 22, was shot around 1 a.m. Sunday, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.Β
McKemie was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unidentified man on West Campanella Drive.
Columbia Police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said Sunday that the man told investigators the twoΒ were traveling on West Campanella Drive when he heard gunshots.Β
McKemie was transported by EMS to PalmettoΒ RichlandΒ MemorialΒ Hospital where she was pronounced deadΒ Sunday afternoonΒ from complications of a gunshot wound to the head, Watts said. Β
The Columbia Police Department continues to investigate.
If you have information about the shooting, call Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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