Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook announces that charges have been filed against Iban Patterson for the Murder of Timothy Peter Gentry that occurred on July 28, 2015 at 1200 Beaufort Street in Columbia.
Patterson is currently in jail on charges of Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Attempted Murder in connection to crimes committed after the murder of Gentry. Additional charges include Murder, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Felony.
Chief Holbrook says that Patterson obtained the 9mm pistol used in the murder and subsequent crimes from a Willette June Wilson. Wilson purchased the handgun from a pawn shop located in Richland County. Wilson is currently in jail and charged with Unlawful Transfer of a firearm.
On July 31, 2015 around 11:30 pm Patterson committed an armed robbery of a female victim at 2200 Santee Avenue. A short time later, just after midnight officers spotted Patterson near 2367 Taylor Street where Patterson fired the 9 mm at police. After officers returned fire Patterson barricaded himself on top of a building where after a several hour standoff Patterson was apprehended.
Chief Holbrook credits the tenacity of CPD’s Investigative staff, Uniform Division, and a collaborative effort with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, and the State Law Enforcement Division, and constant consultation with the 5th Circuit Solicitors Office with bringing charges against Patterson and Willette and bringing closure to the family of Timothy Gentry.
Contact:
Captain George Drafts
Office of Professional Standards Public Information / Media Relations Columbia Police Department
#1 Justice Square
Columbia, SC 29201
Main: (803) 545-3500