Crime & Safety

Report: Columbia Officers Who Shot, Killed Man Acted in Self-Defense

A six-member jury found that two Columbia Police officers "acted in self-defense in an unavoidable situation."

Columbia Police officers who shot and killed a 21-year-old man in May were acting in self-defense and the shooting was justified, a jury ruled during an inquest hearing Wednesday.

Richland County Coroner Gary Watts held the inquest in a Richland County courtroom to investigate the shooting death of Ajani Mitchell on May 25. 

According to a report from The State, the six-member jury found the two officers "acted in self-defense in an unavoidable situation."

Read more at The State (subscription required). 

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