COLUMBIA (WACH) -- According to Columbia Police, 20-year-old Ronald Branch, Jr. is charged with murder, after a shooting at an El Cheapo gas station.
The incident took place Wednesday in broad daylight around 3:00 p.m., and near the busy intersection of North Main Street and Prescott Road.
Police say there was an altercation outside the gas station.
Officers have yet to determine a motive, but they do know multiple shots were fired at the victim.
Branch fled the scene and was found walking along Koon Road.
“Initially, the direction of travel was provided by the people that were here, and then later, air support from Richland County observed someone running,” says S.B. Desrochers of Columbia Police, “so you know it was a coordinated effort from a lot of people working together to try to apprehend this guy.”
Branch was taken into custody without incident. he will be housed at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center following questioning,
Police add they are continuing to gather facts about the incident.