Columbia Police Chief W.H. ‘Skip’ Holbrook announces a second arrest in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Byron Road last week.
This evening, suspect Rashu Ahemn (DOB: 7-24-1991) turned himself in to CPD officers and is charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Burglary – First Degree, Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm by Person Convicted of a Violent Crime, and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime.
Also today, Ahemn’s alleged co-defendant, Donald Moore (DOB: 12-17-1992) was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC) after being released from a local hospital for injuries he received in the incident.
Moore is charged with Murder, Burglary- First Degree, Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime and Possession of a Handgun by a Person Convicted of a Crime of Violence.
Incident Recap: At approximately 2:00 a.m. on June 26, 2020, investigators believe Ahemn and Moore forced their way inside an apartment at 350 Byron Road.
Ahemn is accused of physically assaulting the female and when the male victim tried to protect her, Ahemn shot him. As the female tried to escape, suspect Ahemn allegedly shot her in the lower body. She was treated and released from a local hospital soon after the crime.
Before the fatal injuries, the male victim shot suspect Moore in the upper body before Moore ran away from the scene. CPD officers found Moore when they arrived on Byron Road and called for EMS to take him to a local hospital.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts has identified the male victim as 46-year-old Troy Devon Thomas. According to an autopsy, Thomas died from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.
While the motive for the shooting remains under investigation, investigators believe the victims and suspects are acquaintances.
All persons arrested/charged are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.