In the spring of 2021, a life was tragically cut short in West Columbia, South Carolina. Harkeem Quaman Akins, a 30-year-old male from Gaston, was fatally shot on the afternoon of Thursday, May 6, 2021. The incident occurred in the 500 block of Luke Street, where Akins sustained a gunshot wound to his upper body. He was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The West Columbia Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the shooting.
Their efforts quickly identified a person of interest, 37-year-old Corey Anthony Jones of West Columbia. A public appeal was made for any information regarding his whereabouts as authorities sought to bring him in for questioning. The investigation progressed, and within a week of the fatal shooting, an arrest was made.
On Thursday, May 13, 2021, Corey Anthony Jones was taken into custody by the West Columbia Police Department. He was subsequently charged with murder, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Following his arrest, Jones was held at the Lexington County Detention Center to await a bond hearing. The motive for the shooting was not immediately released to the public.
