The community of Richland County, South Carolina is grappling with grief and shock after the fatal shooting of 18‑year‑old Dion Briggs on Tuesday evening. Deputies say the incident occurred around 7 p.m. in the 1700 block of Nearview Avenue in Columbia.
When deputies arrived, they found Briggs unresponsive outside a residence with a gunshot wound to the upper body and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say the killing appears to be an isolated incident but the underlying circumstances have added complexity and sorrow to the tragedy.
Investigators with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Richland County Coroner’s Office are digging into what led to the shooting. Coroner Naida Rutherford confirmed that Briggs was the victim and noted that the investigation is active, including reviewing available evidence and seeking witness cooperation.
More startling, authorities say the victim had been attempting to purchase a firearm from the alleged shooter. Deputies arrested 17‑year‑old Jordan Lemmon, charging him as an adult with murder, criminal conspiracy, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a handgun under 18. The arrest came after the Fugitive Task Force located Lemmon in Sumter, with assistance from the Sumter Police Department.
The story has rippled through the neighborhood: friends, classmates and residents describe Briggs as a bright and promising young man whose future seemed full of potential. The shock that someone of his age would be caught in a gun transaction gone wrong has left many unsettled. While investigators continue to piece together exactly how the situation escalated, the pain of the loss is clear in the community’s response.
In the wake of the shooting, officials have reminded residents to stay alert and report any suspicious activity—even as they emphasize that this appears to be an isolated event rather than the result of broader gang or random violence. The message: the buying or selling of guns outside legal channels can have catastrophic results.
As the community mourns Dion Briggs’s life, his passing serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly things can go wrong when firearms and desperation intersect. His family and loved ones are seeking answers and justice, and local law‑enforcement says they remain committed to clarifying what happened and bringing full accountability.
