Murder suspect in custody after chase through USC campus

by Tanner Gilmartin, Brooke Ashton, Joshua Hemphill

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A murder suspect was arrested Wednesday afternoon after a chase through Columbia ended in a University of South Carolina building on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD), deputies responded to assist the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in the search for a wanted fugitive from Anderson County, believed to be traveling through the Columbia area.

Deputies say after locating the suspect, 27-year-old E’Nicholas Leake, law enforcement initiated a vehicle stop near I-26 and Sunset Blvd.

According to law enforcement, the suspect fled from the scene, leading a chase into downtown Columbia.

Video obtained by WIS showed the moments the chase went through the Vista neighborhood.

New footage shows the moments of the chase for a murder suspect went through downtown Columbia on Wednesday.

The chase ended in the area of Blossom and Assembly streets, where the suspect ran out of his vehicle into the South Carolina’s Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Building.

WIS crews near the scene spotted multiple police vehicles, including one from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department that looked to be involved in a crash.

A Carolina Alert was sent out at 1:38 p.m. regarding the incident, since the suspect attempted to flee through a university building.

After a brief foot pursuit, RCSD said the suspect was detained by both SLED and RCSD inside the building.

Video shows the moments a murder suspect from the Upstate was detained inside a building on the University of South Carolina's campus.

Deputies say there is no threat to the public at this time, and no injuries have been reported.

WIS crews near the scene spotted multiple police vehicles, including one from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department that looked to be involved in a crash.

MORE ON LEAKE’S CHARGES

The search for Leake comes after the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Jamyuz Bennett on Tuesday afternoon in Anderson County.

The Anderson County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect.

According to investigators, Leake began chasing Bennett from a gas station near Highway 413 and Highway 252, several miles from Anderson.

During the chase, deputies said Leake fired multiple shots into the victim’s car, hitting Bennett in the head. Two other people inside the car told deputies they were able to escape and confirmed being chased by Leake.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with WIS for the latest.

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