COLUMBIA – A Columbia man is in custody after police said a family dispute turned violent early Saturday morning.
At 3:49 a.m. on Saturday, Columbia police officers were dispatched to a report of disturbance with a gun on the 1300 block of Lowe Street, according to a news release from the department.
When officers arrived, the victim was on the way to the local hospital, but the suspect was still inside the residence. Tommy A. Clark Jr., 38, came out of the residence a short time later and was taken into custody, according to the release.
The release described the incident this way: A family dispute had arisen, which carried on for some time. The victim, along with another male family member, arrived at the house during the dispute. As the victim and this family member attempted to speak with Clark, a weapon was displayed. A struggle in attempt to gain control of the weapon occurred. During the struggle, one shot was fired, striking the victim in the hand. The victim transported himself to the hospital before officers arrived.
Clark was charged with domestic assault in the second degree, being a felon in possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.