The Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Columbia Police Department announce the arrest of a 19-year-old man, who was illegally carrying a pistol and an estimated 70 rounds of ammo during today’s protest in downtown Columbia.
Seized pistol and ammunition
Dominic Gladden — DOB: 8/23/00 of the St. Matthews (Orangeburg County) area was arrested on charges of Unlawful Carrying a Pistol and Illegal Acts during a State of Emergency (SC Code of Law 16-7-10).
Gladden was among the crowd of agitators who refused to disperse once the curfew took effect at 6 p.m., Sunday. Once in custody, the weapon and ammunition were found in a backpack he was carrying.
Gladden is among more than a dozen arrests that both agencies have made on Sunday, May 31.
Between Saturday and Sunday, more than 50 were arrested by both agencies. Ten of those arrested are facing looting charges, while 31 violated the city ordinance concerning the 6 p.m., curfew. The remainder were arrested on various charges, such as disorderly conduct, while three are facing weapons charges.
Fifteen were from the Columbia area. Another 20 were not. And at least five were from out of state. Additional information on Sunday arrests is still being processed. We’ll provide that information as it becomes available.
Sheriff Leon Lott and Chief W. H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook would like to stress that today’s protests were not peaceful. Both stated that those who show up with firearms have no intent of protesting peacefully — and it will not be tolerated.