Man charged in South Carolina mall mass shooting sentenced to 30 years in prison

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) -Amari Smith, one of three men charged in connection with the 2022 mass shooting at the Columbiana Centre, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon.

Smith was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison with credit for time served.

He was the second co-defendant to be sentenced, following Jewayne Price, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Feb. 21.

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The shooting happened in April 2022, when Price, Smith, and the third co-defendant, Marquise Robinson, opened fire inside the Columbiana Centre shopping mall. It left over a dozen people injured, nine of whom had been shot.

Smith pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and nine counts of high and aggravated battery in November 2024. His sentencing took place at 11 a.m. at the Lexington County Judicial Center.

Security footage from a store at the Columbiana Centre was played during Smith’s hearing. Prosecutors said at least six people were shot by Smith, two of whom were teenagers and another who was pregnant at the time.

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Several people who had been shot by Smith appeared at the hearing, and officials read several statements from the victims about the physical pain, mental anguish, and debilitating fear they have suffered as a result of the shooting.

“It is our wish that Mr. Smith be held able for his actions on that day and receive a maximum sentence,” one statement read.

Smith’s lawyer said his guilty plea signified him taking ability for his actions. He also cited Smith’s lack of prior offenses and said he had been a “model detainee” with no disciplinary violations during his three years of incarceration since the shooting.

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Smith himself made a statement before the judge during the hearing as well, expressing remorse.

“I want to apologize to the victims. If I could take the bullet, I would,” Smith said. “I just hope that one day I’ll be able to live in our community, our society. I’m truly sorry. This situation is not who I am.”

Smith’s mother, April Smith, also spoke at the hearing and asked the judge to have mercy on her son, saying he was a good person who had been “tormented” by Jewayne Price.

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Smith’s attorney stated the shooting was a result of a feud between Price and both Smith and Robinson, regarding the 2018 killing of Amon Rice, a Lower Richland High School athlete. He noted Rice was a dear friend of Smith’s who had been killed by s of Jewayne Price.

Rice’s mother spoke on Smith’s behalf as well.