No charges so far in shooting death of S.C. 4-year-old

Columbia police said investigators will “continue to determine how the child was fatally injured. Additional information will be released when possible.”
Published: Dec. 26, 2024 at 6:07 AM EST|Updated: Dec. 27, 2024 at 2:04 PM EST
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COLUMBIA, S.C - The Columbia Police Department confirmed as of Monday there are no charges pending in the case of 4-year-old Ja’hel Walker, who was shot and killed on Christmas Eve in a shopping center off Harbinson Boulevard.

According to police, he was in a car with several other children when he was shot.

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Police have still not said how he was shot. Officials said his mother was not in the car but was nearby.

A memorial has been set up in his honor at a children’s thrift store nearby, Once Upon a Child.

Community have left stuffed animals and other toys out in front of the store.

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From left: William and Zachary Zulock

“It’s terrible,” said a shopper. “It’s awful in general, but it’s even worse that it happened on Christmas Eve, a time where families are supposed to be spending time together, enjoying themselves, and to have such an awful tragedy happen, is truly heartbreaking.”

Columbia police said investigators will “continue to determine how the child was fatally injured. Additional information will be released when possible.”

Columbia Police Chief “Skip” Holbrook said when officers arrived on Wednesday afternoon, the 4-year-old had been “seriously wounded” by gunfire. First responders quickly transported him to a local hospital.

“I’m at a loss at this point. We continue to say the same things over and over again about leaving guns in cars ... keeping arms away from children,” he said.

“Obviously it was a very difficult situation, given especially this time of year, and other children were present. We are saying a prayer for their family,” Holbrook said.