In the early evening of Sunday, July 27, 2025, a series of gunshots shattered the peace in a Columbia, South Carolina neighborhood, leaving a young man dead and another individual wounded. The deceased was identified as 21-year-old Laneef T. Mingo, a resident of Columbia. The male victim suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his upper body. The identity of the second victim, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, has not been publicly disclosed.
The incident unfolded across multiple
locations, creating a chaotic scene for residents and responding law enforcement. The Richland County Sheriff's Department was initially alerted to gunfire in the 1600 block of Devonwood Drive through a ShotSpotter notification around 5:30 p.m. As deputies were securing that area, further reports of shootings came in from the 1600 blocks of Longcreek Drive and Grays Inn Road, where apartment buildings were struck by bullets. Amid the investigation into the property damage, a call came in about a gunshot victim in the 200 block of Bentley Court. It was there that deputies found Laneef T. Mingo gravely wounded. He was quickly transported by emergency medical services to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the widespread gunfire and Mingo's death is being handled by the Richland County Sheriff's Department in conjunction with the Richland County Coroner's Office. Significant property damage was reported in the areas of the shootings, with bullets penetrating apartment buildings. Despite the extensive crime scene, authorities have not yet released information about a possible motive for the shootings.
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the death of Laneef T. Mingo, and no suspects have been publicly identified. It remains unclear if the multiple shooting locations were the work of a single individual or multiple assailants. The investigation is active and ongoing, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the apprehension of those responsible for this violent episode.
