One man shot in central Columbia

COLUMBIA — A 25-year-old man was shot early Wednesday morning in central Columbia.

At 12:23 a.m. police responded to the intersection of Garth and Third avenues after getting a call that the man had been shot. Officers found him with a gunshot wound to the thigh, a news release from the Columbia Police Department said. The man was taken to University Hospital.

Police said several people were outside and in the area where the shooting occurred, but no one had directly witnessed the shooting. However, some of the statements obtained contradicted each other and the physical evidence available, police said.

The victim’s wound was serious but did not appear to be life threatening. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment, which had so far prevented officers and detectives from getting a statement.

Police have not named any suspects at this time. Wednesday's shooting occurred about 24 hours after Columbia's first homicide of the year.

Major Crimes detectives responded and will continue the investigation. Anyone with information about this incident should call 875-8477.