UPDATE: Several reports of shots fired related, police say

COLUMBIA — Several reports of shots fired in the last four days are definitely related, according to Jessie Haden, public information officer for the Columbia Police Department.

According to Lt. Tim Moriarity, some of the same details keep coming up during its investigations.

Other evidence, as reported by witnesses and police, indicates a relation between the shots as well.

• The four separate reports of shots fired fell within a one-and-a-quarter mile radius. The first report, at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, was near the intersection of Fifth and Lyon streets. The second report, two hours later, was in the 800 block of Clinkscales Road, approximately 2 miles away. At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the third report included locations at Hinkson Avenue and William Street and at Range Line Street and Wilkes Boulevard. The final report, just after noon Thursday, was in the 500 block of West Ash Street. The latter three locations were all less than a mile from the location of the first report.
• A red car, which one witness on Sunday identified as a Pontiac Grand Am, was reportedly involved in each of the four incidents.
• Similar shell casings, all .45-caliber, were found at both the Sunday and Tuesday locations. An officer on scene on Thursday identified the three casings recovered as 9 mm.
• In relation to the shots fired on Thursday afternoon, Haden said in a news release that Columbia police located the individuals associated with the red vehicle and interviewed them. The news release, sent out Thursday night, also said the blue van used by the second party of shooters was reported stolen earlier in the day. Police have recovered and towed the vehicle.

Haden said police have identified the individuals responsible for the shootings but are still working on the whereabouts of them and the vehicles and the drivers. She also said police are still working on finding out more about the shooters' targets.

Those with information regarding any of the incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 875-8477 or the Police Department at 874-7652.