Security guard shoots & kills man after throwing couple out of club, SC cops say
A South Carolina man was shot and killed Wednesday by a security guard after he and a woman were thrown out of a nightclub, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Desmond T. Montgomery, a 28-year-old Greeleyville resident, is the man who died in the shooting at club Bar Code, said Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford.
At about 1 a.m., deputies responded to reports of a shooting at the bar at 224 Oneil Court in Columbia, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
At the club, a security guard told deputies that he had shot the man, who was on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, according to the release. Deputies immediately began rendering aide and secured the scene, the sheriff’s department said.
The man, later identified as Montgomery, was taken to an area hospital where he died, according to the release.
A security guard told deputies that he was working when an altercation inside the club started between two individuals, the sheriff’s department said. He and a second guard, were taking the man and a woman out of the club, according to the release.
Outside the club, the woman became unruly and aggressive toward the second guard at which time he pepper sprayed her, the sheriff’s department said.
Montgomery went to his car then returned, asking the woman who sprayed her, according to the release. When she pointed at the second guard, the first guard saw Montgomery lift his shirt and pull a gun from his waistband, the sheriff’s department said. That’s when the first guard shot Montgomery multiple times, according to the release.
Deputies found a weapon by Montgomery and also secured Horton’s weapon, the sheriff’s department said.
Information about the condition of the woman involved was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
No arrests have been reported, but the shooting is being investigated by the sheriff’s department.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
In the case of an emergency, always call 911.
This was the second shooting by a security guard at club Bar Code this year, the sheriff’s department said. The previous shooting occurred in January, when the second guard in Wednesday’s incident shot a patron in the parking lot, according to the release.
There was no word if that was a fatal shooting, or if any other injuries occurred. No arrests were reported from that shooting.
There was another shooting outside a Richland County nightclub early Sunday morning.
Cody A. Johnson, a 32-year-old Lexington resident, was shot and killed by a Forest Acres police officer outside Relapse Bar & Grill, at 5024 Two Notch Road, Richland County officials said.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Johnson was driving erratically and threatening the lives of people in the club’s parking lot when the officer shot him multiple times. That shooting also is being investigated by the sheriff’s department.
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Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford has released the identity of the individual who died as a result of a shooting that occurred on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The incident took place in the 200 block of O’Neil Court at Club Barcode. The victim has been identified as Desmond T. Montgomery, 28, of Greeleyville, South Carolina.
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Wednesday, May 13, at approximately 01:00 a.m. deputies responded to a shooting that occurred at the 224 O’Neil court, club Bar Code. On arrival they were informed by a security guard, who stated that he had shot the man, who was lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Deputies immediately began rendering aide and secured the scene.
A security guard, identified as Nicholas Horton, 41, informed deputies that he was working when an altercation inside the club started between two individuals. He and another guard, identified as Mark Hammond, were escorting the man and a woman out. Once outside the woman became unruly and aggressive towards Hammond at which time he pepper sprayed her. The man went to his car and returned to ask the woman who sprayed her. When she pointed at Hammond, the other security guard, Horton saw the man lift his shirt and draw a gun from his waistband at which time he shot him multiple times.
Deputies did locate a weapon by the man lying on the floor and also secured Horton’s weapon. The suspect was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
This is an ongoing investigation, and we are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. This is the second shooting by a security guard at this club this year. The previous shooting occurred in January, when Hammond shot a patron in the parking lot.
The legislature has granted SLED licensed security officers the authority and power of sheriffs while on the property the officer is hired to protect. See S.C.Code Ann. § 40-17-130 (1986). Thus, like the police, licensed security officers perform a law enforcement function and act in an official capacity while on the property they are hired to protect.
This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 8:48 AM with the headline "Security guard shoots & kills man after throwing couple out of club, SC cops say."
