One man is killed at convenience store and another is charged with murder, SC police say
A 46-year-old man was shot and killed overnight at a convenience store and another man is in jail, the Columbia Police Department said Sunday.
Joseph Kennedy, 35, was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to police.
Columbia resident Jevon Belton was identified as the victim, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford said.
At about 12:30 a.m., officers responded to the EZ Spot convenience store/gas station at 3213 Farrow Road, police said. That’s near the intersection with West Beltline Boulevard in the Colonial Heights area.
Belton was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police. No other injuries were reported.
Police did not say if the shooting happened inside of the store or elsewhere on the property.
At 11:50 p.m., police said they arrested Kennedy, who was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. No bond has been set and Kennedy remains behind bars, jail records show.
Officers said they believe the shooting stemmed from an isolated argument, according to police. Information about why Belton and Kennedy were arguing, or if they knew each other prior to the shooting, was not available.
