Updated: Bond Denied for Suspect in Five Points Shooting, Victim Paralyzed

Update: A judge on Monday denied bond for a 20-year-old who was charged in a shooting in Five Points that left a University of South Carolina student in critical but stable condition after she was struck by a stray bullet.

Michael Juan Smith is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. He is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony, unlawful carrying of a pistol, and possession of a stolen pistol.

The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday in the 700 block of Harden Street following an argument between two males.

According to a report from The State, the USC freshman was struck by a stray bullet while she waited for a taxi near the fountain in Five Points. 

The student, who has been identified as Martha Childress, is paralyzed from the hips down, her uncle Jim Carpenter told the newspaper.

Columbia Police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said the student was not the intended target.

Read more at The State (Subscription required).

Original story: An 18-year-old University of South Carolina student is in critical condition after she was struck by a stray bullet in Five Points early Sunday morning. 

The shooting occurred shortly before 2:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Harden Street following an argument between two males, according to preliminary information from the Columbia Police Department.

The student was not the intended target, Columbia Police spokeswoman Jennifer Timmons said. 

In a statement released Sunday, USC President Harris Pastides said the student was taken to Palmetto Richland Hospital where she remains in critical condition. The shooter is not affiliated with USC, he said. 

“I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn that a random act of gun violence has harmed one of our students in the Five Points area early this morning,” Pastides said. “The university is working closely with our student and her family to provide all available resources. On behalf of the entire Carolina family, Patricia and I offer our thoughts and prayers for healing and recovery and for the safety and well-being of all of our students.”

More than 10 officers were still on patrol in Five Points when they heard gunshots and ran to the area where the shooting occurred.

While running on Harden Street, an officer saw a man running away from the scene. Upon a lawful search, Timmons said, the officer found the gun they think was used during the shooting. The gun was reported stolen in Richland County.

Michael Juan Smith, 20, is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony, unlawful carrying of a pistol, and possession of a stolen pistol.

Timmons said officers reviewed surveillance video of the shooting, which captured the suspect committing the crime.

Interim police Chief Ruben Santiago said in a police department release that the shooting is a “senseless crime."

“Here is a young lady who was standing with a large group of people when she gets shot and then collapses in front of her friends,” Santiago said. “Now she is fighting for her life in the hospital. The shooter has no respect for human life and will face the consequences. Our prayers are with victim and her family. 

Columbia Police also arrested 17-year-old Ryan Ellison for public disorderly conduct.

Both Smith and Ellison were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

Santiago said officers have been patrolling Five Points for several months and will continue to do so.

"Streets thugs are on notice. If you decide to commit a crime in Five Points, you will be caught on surveillance camera and you will be captured by law enforcement and sent to jail. The city is seeing the results of their hard work. I am commending Columbia Police officers on their prompt response to this incident."