Columbia Police have captured the suspect involved in Wednesday’s shots fired incident and lengthy standoff near Blue Ridge road and Parker street.
939 the Eagle News covered the standoff from a media staging area at nearby Albert Oakland park. Columbia Police spokesman Colin Imhoff says the suspect shot at someone this morning in that area. No one was struck by the gunfire. Imhoff tells 939 the Eagle that when police responded, the suspect allegedly threatened to shoot police officers:
“With the standoff we do know that they were threatening to shoot officers and that’s why officers did not go inside to apprehend the suspect, and that’s why they’ve surrounded the area,” Mr. Imhoff says.
(January 14, 2026 photo courtesy of CPD Facebook page)
The suspect was taken into custody at about 1:30 pm and the road then reopened. Residents could then return to their homes. CPD has not released the name of the suspect, who will face multiple charges.
Columbia Public Schools (CPS) spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark tells 939 the Eagle that Oakland and Blue Ridge schools went into secure mode during the standoff. Secure mode means students stay inside and a regular day continues.