7-year-old girl shot at sporting event in Columbia, South Carolina police say
A child was shot Sunday, according to the Columbia Police Department.
The 7-year-old girl suffered a non-life-threatening injury while she was attending a sporting event, police said.
The victim was injured in the wrist, according to police. Further information on the girl’s condition was not available.
No other injuries were reported.
At about 7 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at the Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Center at 115 Sunbelt Blvd., police said. That’s near Exit 68 on Interstate 20, which is the junction with Monticello Road.
Police said the shooting “does not appear to be an intentional act.”
“It appears that gunfire originated from an illegal, makeshift shooting range located in the wooded area behind the complex,” South Carolina United FC Executive Director Rob Strickland said in a statement shared on the group’s Facebook page. “The range was crudely constructed using pallets as targets. During this activity, a bullet fired directly into the air descended and grazed a SCUFC member on the wrist.
“Fortunately, the bullet (which was recovered by police) was traveling at a low velocity upon descent, and medical assessment confirmed only a minor superficial wound.”
Strickland said the victim was taken to an area hospital where she was treated and released, and she was “in good spirits and recovering well.”
On Monday, police didn’t confirm Strickland’s statement about where the shots were fired, and told The State that they are still working to determine the origin of the gunfire.
There was no word on the shooter and no arrests have been reported, but officers are reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews as they continue to investigate.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit a tip online.
Strickland said authorities assured him that the shooting was “an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the safety of our members or visitors.” Because of that, all scheduled camps and programs at the soccer facility resumed as normally scheduled Monday, according to Strickland.
“The safety of our players, coaches, families and staff is — and always will be — our highest priority,” Strickland said.
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This story was originally published June 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM with the headline "7-year-old girl shot at sporting event in Columbia, South Carolina police say."
