One arrested, 2 sought in residential break-in

Columbia police arrested one man and were searching for two others in connection with a break-in and shooting early Tuesday at a home in south Columbia.

An occupant of the house, a 21-year-old man whom police would not identify, was in serious condition Tuesday with gunshot wounds to the neck, police said.

Capt. Brad Nelson said three men wearing black masks kicked open the front door of the house in the 3900 block of Rock Quarry Road at 12:49 a.m. and went straight for the victim.

Both the rifle and the handgun two of the suspects had were fired, Nelson said, but he added that he was not sure how many shots were fired or which gun fired the bullets that hit the victim.

One of the two people who were upstairs at the time of the incident called 911 soon after the three men entered the house, Nelson said. The suspects ran from the house after the victim was shot.

Nelson said that he thinks the victim knew the three men and that robbery appeared to be the motive.

Nelson wouldn’t say what was stolen.

“It doesn’t appear to be a random crime,” he said. “It appears the suspects knew one or more of the victims.”

Wendell Tyrone Scott, 22, of Columbia, was arrested and charged with armed criminal action, first-degree burglary and first-degree assault, Nelson said. All of the charges are felonies.

“The investigation is definitely ongoing,” Nelson said. “We are actively seeking the other two individuals who were involved.”

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 875-8477 or the Major Crimes Unit at 874-7414.