Two men charged with murder after a shooting at bar, Richland County sheriff says
Two men are behind bars after a Florida woman was shot and killed at a Columbia bar, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.
Malcolm Clinton, 26, and James Alterique White, 23, were charged with murder, the sheriff’s department said in a news release.
They are responsible for the death of Joyel T. Snell, according to the release.
On Dec. 12, the 45-year-old Fort Myers, Florida woman was “an innocent patron,” who was shot in the upper body as she was leaving Felicity’s Bar at 7708 Fairfield Rd., the sheriff’s department said.
After being hit by gunfire outside the front of the bar, Snell was taken to an area hospital where she died, according to the release.
More than a month after her death, Clinton and White were arrested.
Clinton was taken into custody on Jan. 15, and White, who was also charged with removing an electronic monitoring device, was arrested Tuesday, the sheriff’s department said. No bond has been set for either Clinton or White after both men were booked at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, jail records show.
On the night of the shooting, White and Clinton were seen entering the bar, returning to the parking lot and entering a vehicle, according to the release. Shots were fired from that vehicle when it was in the road, the sheriff’s department said.
Although it’s not believed Snell was targeted, she was hit by the gunfire, according to the release.
White was charged with a previous club shooting in June 2021 and was on bond for several previous charges when Snell was killed, the sheriff’s department said. White was granted a $175,000 surety bond after being charged with the attempted murder of a security guard at Hookah Lounge (2700 Broad River Rd.) on May 2, 2021, according to the release.
The security guard was shot in the upper body and survived, the sheriff’s department said.
White was also on bond for several weapons charges, stemming from incidents about a month before the Hookah Lounge shooting, according to the release.
On March 12, White was apprehended after deputies attempted a traffic stop and he led them on a short pursuit, before he was charged with failure to stop for blue lights, simple possession of marijuana, driving under suspension, and use of vehicle without owner’s consent, the sheriff’s department said. He was released on a bond for this incident, according to the release.
Less than two weeks later, on March 24, White was again arrested after deputies said they located him during a shots fired call. He was charged with simple possession of marijuana, unlawful carry of a pistol, and possession of a stolen pistol, according to the release.
White then posted a $15,000 surety bond, the sheriff’s department said.
“We have violent people being arrested, released and they continue to commit crimes. The only way to protect our communities is to keep them locked up,” Sheriff Lott said in the release. “White shot a security guard doing his job, was arrested and bonded out. Six months later he shoots and kills an innocent person. Our community needs help.
“The concept of catch and release is not working. We are doing our part in solving crime and making arrests. We need help in keeping them off the streets.”
