Three witnesses could have been arguing with accused shooter
The Columbia Police Department is seeking three men in connection with the shooting of first-year business student Martha Childress. The men may have gotten into an argument with shooting suspect Michael Juan Smith, who is accused of firing a shot after a fight broke out at a Five Points gas station.
Police say Smith was seen on surveillance video committing the crime. They also saw these three unidentified men on surveillance tape and are hoping the community will be able to identify them and report them to Crimestoppers at 888-CRIME-SC.
Childress, who was waiting for a cab near the Five Points Fountain around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 13, was not the target of the shooting. The bullet struck her in the spine and family members say she is now paralyzed.