A South Carolina woman was tragically shot and killed in the parking lot of a Bojangles restaurant on November 15, an incident police believe is linked to a “long-running dispute” in the area. Antoinette Michelle Hammonds-Colon, 40, was gunned down outside the fast-food chain on Harbison Boulevard in Columbia.
When emergency services arrived, Michelle was found in critical condition with a gunshot wound to her upper body. She was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward. The Columbia Police Department identified 23-year-old Ja’Quivian Kennerly as their prime suspect in the shooting.
Kennerly, who is considered “armed and dangerous,” is wanted on multiple charges, including murder. According to reports by WLTX News 19, law enforcement believes the shooting stemmed from an ongoing conflict between two groups in the area. Numerous shots were fired during the incident, which involved multiple people, though no additional injuries have been reported.
Melron Kelly, spokesperson for the Columbia Police Department, stated, “Upon gathering some information, we found that there was an altercation in the parking lot that led to the shooting. The individuals involved were known to each other.”
The incident temporarily shut down a busy section of Harbison Boulevard as officers from Richland and Lexington counties collaborated to secure the scene. Police are actively investigating the case, reviewing surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and interviewing eyewitnesses.
Several employees and customers dining at Bojangles witnessed the altercation firsthand and are assisting law enforcement with their inquiries, according to Fox 57. Michelle’s autopsy is scheduled for November 18 at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, which may provide further insights into the case.
Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting or Kennerly’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or visit CrimeSC.com. As the investigation unfolds, the tragic loss of Antoinette Michelle Hammonds-Colon highlights the devastating consequences of violence and underscores the urgency of resolving long-standing disputes peacefully.