In a tragic turn of events on a summer evening, Xavier J. Hopkins, a 22-year-old male, lost his life in a hail of gunfire. The incident, which also claimed the life of 22-year-old Dominic Goodwin, unfolded on July 9, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina. A third individual was wounded in the attack but survived.
The Richland County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 300 block of Hickory Ridge Drive at approximately 10 p.m.
Upon their arrival, deputies discovered a vehicle in a yard with Hopkins and Goodwin inside, both unresponsive. Emergency medical services and the fire department were dispatched to the scene, where both men were pronounced dead. Inside a nearby home, the third victim was found with multiple gunshot wounds that were not life-threatening.
Investigators characterized the shooting as a double homicide, likely a targeted ambush and possibly a drive-by. The motive appeared to be an act of 'street justice,' a grim retaliation for a prior unsolved murder in which the brother of one of the suspects was the victim.
Within eight days of the shooting, a 16-year-old suspect was apprehended in Atlanta after a standoff with law enforcement. He was charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. The investigation continued, leading to the arrest of three more teenagers: a 17-year-old and two 16-year-olds. All four suspects face a string of serious charges, including two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and possession of a firearm by a person under 18. The investigation into how the teenagers obtained the firearms is ongoing.
