In the early evening of Sunday, March 15, 2015, in Columbia, South Carolina, a dispute that began earlier in the day over a basketball game would ultimately claim the life of 17-year-old Eric T. Washington. A senior at C.A. Johnson High School, Washington was also a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard with plans to continue his military career after his upcoming graduation in May. That evening, he went to T.S.
Martin Park off Two Notch Road to settle the earlier disagreement.
Around 7:30 p.m., what was intended to be a resolution escalated into a violent altercation. As a second fight broke out, multiple gunshots were fired. In a desperate attempt to find safety, Washington was struck in the head by a bullet as he sought cover. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led Columbia police to identify two suspects. One individual, Jerimiah Pough, was arrested and charged with murder. Authorities alleged that while Pough was not involved in the initial fight, he had attended the second confrontation armed with a 9mm pistol for what he claimed was self-protection. Ballistics from the scene recovered casings from both a 9mm and a. 40-caliber firearm, and it was a. 40-caliber bullet that fatally wounded Washington.
In August 2017, Jerimiah Pough stood trial for the murder of Eric Washington. After a five-day trial, a Richland County jury acquitted him of the murder charge. Pough did admit to a weapons charge. Information regarding the second suspect identified by police was not detailed in the available sources. The case left Washington's family grieving and searching for answers.
