In the early morning hours of June 26, 2020, the life of 46-year-old Troy Devon Thomas, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Columbia, South Carolina. The events unfolded at an apartment on Byron Road, where what began as a home invasion quickly escalated into a fatal encounter.
Two men, later identified as Donald Moore and Rashu Ahemn, forced their way into the residence where Thomas was present with a female companion. An altercation ensued when Ahemn began assaulting the woman.
Thomas intervened in an attempt to protect her, at which point Ahemn allegedly shot him. In the ensuing chaos, Thomas was able to return fire, wounding Moore in the upper body. Despite his efforts to defend himself and the woman, Thomas was shot multiple times in the upper body and succumbed to his injuries. The female victim was also shot in the lower body as she tried to escape but was treated at a local hospital and released.
Responding Columbia Police Department officers discovered the wounded Moore on Byron Road. He was subsequently arrested and, after being released from the hospital, was charged with murder, first-degree burglary, and weapon offenses. Rashu Ahemn, the second suspect, turned himself in to the authorities. He faced a string of charges, including murder, attempted murder, first-degree burglary, armed robbery, and multiple weapon possession offenses. Investigators believe the suspects and victims were acquainted, though the precise motive for the violent home invasion remains under investigation.
