A suspect is in custody after shooting a West Columbia police officer near the West Columbia riverwalk amphitheater.
51-year-old William Kernnon shot a police office while he was being served a bench warrant around 1:45 pm. The injured officer was taken to Richland Memorial Hospital where he is in stable condition according to Dennis Tyndall, West Columbia Police Chief.
According to Tyndall, three officers were serving Kernnon with the warrant when Kernnon leaned his head out the window of a house and then shot through the wall of the home striking one of the officers. S.W.A.T. was then called to the scene.
After a quick standoff, Kernnon surrendered to officers at around 4 pm. The investigation has been turned over to SLED officials.
Kernnon’s warrant was for not appearing in court. Tyndall said that Kernnon has been aggressive with officers in the past.
The house Kernnon was inside was supposed to be abandoned because it was condemned from a fire, according to Tyndall.