3 weeks later, no charges yet in Columbia 4-year-old boy’s death
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - An investigation into the death of a 4-year-old boy’s shooting death is now in its third week.
Jah’el Walker was shot inside a car in the parking lot of a shopping center on Harbison Boulevard.
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The Lexington County Coroner’s Office confirmed that an 8-year-old and 11-month-old were in the car that was parked at a shopping plaza on Christmas Eve where Jah’el was shot.
Parents could potentially face charges for Jah’el’s death after police said the child was left in the car with two other children.
Columbia Deputy Chief of Police Melron Kelly said the department has not rescheduled a meeting with the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
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Kelly said the department has gone as far as interviewing children, something he said the department rarely does.
With parents potentially facing charges, police are being especially careful sharing new information with the public.
“I know that’s not what some people want to hear,” he said. “They want to look at how things may play out on a TV show, but this is someone’s life that we’re dealing with.”
Kelly explained a high volume of witnesses and the holiday season add to be extra thorough in this case.
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“Some people may not have been immediately available because the day after was Christmas Day,” he said. " Some people may not be from the Columbia area.”
Columbia police are still investigating exactly which child shot the gun and the make of the weapon. Right now, we are being told these are all factors police are still trying to piece together.
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