COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia Police and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are investigating two armed robberies believed to have been committed by the same suspect who later took his life.
According to Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott, the male suspect committed robberies Tuesday night at the Family Dollar on Leesburg Road and the China Palace Restaurant on South Beltline Boulevard.
Chief Scott says an officer located a vehicle, a white Ford Escape, matching the suspect’s traveling outbound on Garners Ferry Road and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle continued as the officer used lights and sirens.
The suspect pulled into the Walgreens on Garners Ferry Road and came to a stop in the parking lot. Officers called out to the suspect, but he did not respond to commands. Officers approached the vehicle and found the suspect with a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Columbia Police, Richland County Sherriff’s Department and Richland County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate.
The suspect's name has not been released.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH