Columbia police are still asking for the public's help identifying who killed 30-year-old Lawrence Long, nearly two weeks after officers found him shot on Brook Pines Drive. No arrests have been announced, and investigators say they're leaning on tips, surveillance footage and anyone with information to crack the case.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 9 p.m. on October 8 in the 100 block of Brook Pines Drive, according to WACH. When they arrived, they found Long shot, and EMS crews provided aid at the scene before he was taken to a hospital, where he later died, per WIS-TV.
Police identified Long days after the shooting and said their early findings pointed to a targeted act rather than a random attack. The station reported that investigators described the shooting as “not random” and called it “an isolated event.”
No Ongoing Threat, Police Say, But Questions Remain
Investigators told The State that the public faces no ongoing threat tied to the case, reiterating that the shooting appears isolated. The same report noted that officials were still reviewing available video and gathering additional details as the investigation continued.
As of October 9, one day after the shooting, WACH reported that police had made no arrests. Roughly two weeks later, ABC Columbia reported that the Columbia Police Department was still asking the public for help solving Long's killing.
How To Submit A Tip
The Columbia Police Department is asking anyone with information to contact the department directly or submit an anonymous tip through Crimestoppers, which can be reached at 1-888-CRIME-SC, according to ABC Columbia's report.
The broader context of violent crime in the Columbia area has drawn separate attention in recent reporting. A report from WLTX noted a slight drop in murders and a 100% clearance rate in Richland County in 2025, though that report did not provide supporting figures tied specifically to this case.
