In the early morning hours of Sunday, September 21, 2025, a burst of gunfire on Mellowood Drive in Columbia, South Carolina, abruptly ended the life of 34-year-old Ricky J Bates. Deputies from the Richland County Sheriff's Department were dispatched to the 4300 block of the street shortly before 2 a.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter alert.
Upon their arrival, they discovered a man outside a residence with a gunshot wound to his upper body.
As they secured the area and searched for evidence, they found a second victim, Ricky J Bates, who was unresponsive. Both men were transported to a local hospital, where Bates was pronounced dead. The other victim survived his injuries.
An investigation into the shooting was immediately launched. Although the shooter or shooters had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, investigators were able to identify a suspect. On Monday, days after the shooting, deputies located and arrested 31-year-old Benjamin Hampton in the vicinity of Abbott Road. Hampton was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Ricky Joseph Bates, born on July 21, 1991, was a beloved son, brother, and soon-to-be father. Known for his infectious smile and protective nature, he was eagerly anticipating the birth of his child. His family and friends remember him as an outspoken, loyal, and reliable man who had a gift for making those around him feel cherished.
