Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook announces the overnight arrest of a man in connection with yesterday’s suspicious death investigation in North Columbia and active arrest warrants for an alleged accomplice.
David Therelle Anderson (DOB: 10-13-1995) is charged with Murder and is currently housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
Investigators believe Anderson killed the victim who has been identified by Richland County Coroner Gary Watts as 21-year-old Rashawn Williams of Columbia, after an argument inside an East Muller Street home.
Preliminary results from an autopsy conducted this morning shows homicidal violence as the cause of death. Coroner Watts is awaiting toxicology results. CPD continues to determine when the death occurred.
The initial investigation indicates that Anderson and Williams were engaged in a heated argument that escalated into a violent fight at 1217 East Muller Avenue.
After the physical altercation, Anderson and his mother, 49-year-old Wanda Elizabeth Williamson (DOB: 10-25- 1967) removed Williams’ body from the home and placed it in the trunk of a car at the crime scene.
CPD and a Columbia Housing Authority officer received a tip and located the car at the North Columbia home. Responding officers detected an odor coming from the vehicle and requested additional officers to arrive on scene. During an initial observation of the interior of the car, officers saw what appeared to be a body inside.
After obtaining a lawful search warrant, CPD officers notified the Columbia Firefighters to assist with helping gain entry into the locked trunk. Once the trunk was opened, CPD investigators located the deceased victim.
An arrest warrant for Accessory After the Fact of Murder for Williamson (DOB: 10-25-1967) has been entered into the National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC) database.
Chief Holbrook says, “We know that when a violent crime occurs in one of our neighborhoods, especially a homicide, it leaves citizens frightened and on edge. This case reflects how collaboration, teamwork and attention to detail by CPD Investigators leads to a quick arrest and eases citizens’ concerns.”
Citizens with information about the crime or Williamson’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact Crimestoppers in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
TEXT to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center Booking Photograph:
Suspect: David Therelle Anderson (DOB: 10-13-1995)
