In a tragic turn of events on February 3, 2020, a dispute between coworkers in Columbia, South Carolina, culminated in the shooting death of 53-year-old Michael Booker. The male victim was found by Columbia Police Department officers who were responding to a call of shots fired in the 100 block of Rose Drive at approximately 2 p.m. Booker died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigations revealed that Booker and his colleague, Craig Lamar Edwards, had been involved in a
verbal argument earlier that day at a local auto parts store. Both men were employed as auto mechanics. Following the initial disagreement, Edwards confronted Booker at their place of work and shot him at least twelve times. Witnesses provided a description of Edwards and the vehicle he was driving, which enabled police to locate him a short time later.
After being spotted by law enforcement, Edwards led officers on a chase through North Columbia. During the pursuit, he was seen throwing a pistol from his car. The chase eventually ended in the Earlewood neighborhood, where Edwards was taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with murder, kidnapping, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
In April 2024, a Richland County jury convicted Craig Lamar Edwards, then 54, on charges of voluntary manslaughter and possession of a weapon during a violent crime for the death of Michael Booker. He was also found guilty of failing to stop for blue lights. The court sentenced Edwards to a total of forty years in prison: thirty years for voluntary manslaughter and five years for each of the other two charges, with the sentences to be served consecutively. During the trial, testimony indicated that Edwards had been using narcotics, including PCP, the night before the fatal shooting.
