1 dead in overnight shootings in Columbia. SC deputies survived by ‘grace of God’
A group of unknown individuals fired multiple shots at Richland County deputies investigating two earlier shootings Thursday morning in the Summit area of Columbia, officials said. One person was found fatally injured after deputies returned fire, the sheriff said.
One person has been detained in connection with the shootings near Summit Ridge Drive, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Thursday afternoon.
Lott said that three deputies shot back after they were fired upon as they were responding to two shooting incidents in residential neighborhoods between midnight and 2 a.m.
One man was found by deputies fatally injured in a car after the deputies returned gunfire and additional police arrived. He died after deputies administered medical aid.
“This shows the dangers our deputies face each and every day,” Lott said. “It is by the grace of God that I am not talking about one of our deputies getting killed.
Qwa’Maurie A. Deaver, an 18-year Columbia resident, is the person who died, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said.
Two houses, one in the 400 block of Spring Oak Drive and the other in the 200 block of Sagamare Road, were struck repeatedly by bullets and casings were found nearby, the sheriff said. K-9 Specialist Samantha Ramirez, K-9 Specialist Zaid Abdullah and Master Deputy Nicholas Carroll responded to the shootings, along with Abdullah’s K-9 partner Jet, Lott said.
While investigating the second incident, Jet led deputies behind a house located at the 300 block of Legend Oaks at approximately 2:20 a.m. Deputies encountered multiple people and identified themselves as law enforcement when the individuals began shooting at the deputies with high-powered rifles and pistols, Lott said. Police returned fire before taking cover, he said.
The unknown individuals continued to fire from multiple directions and deputies continued to return fire until additional deputies arrived, according to body camera footage.
The three shooting incidents are thought to be connected, but the houses were not specifically targeted, the sheriff said. The motivation behind the shootings is unknown, and the investigation is ongoing, Lott said.
At about 7:15 a.m., the sheriff’s department asked people to avoid the area of Summit Ridge Drive where the overnight shooting occurred. That part of Columbia near Lake Carolina is often called the Summit.
Up to 10 individuals could have been involved in the shooting incidents, Lott said.
Police ask that residents in the area of Fox Grove Circle, Royce Court, Summit Ridge or Bombing Ridge who may have Ring cameras to please share video footage with them.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 8:12 AM with the headline "1 dead in overnight shootings in Columbia. SC deputies survived by ‘grace of God’."
