Following the shooting at a South Carolina mall on Saturday that resulted in 14 people being injured, a state judge has set the bond for a suspect in the shooting at $25,000, which, if posted, could allow him to return to work in an ankle monitor, authorities said.
The suspect, 22-year-old Jewayne Price, would be on house arrest if he posts bond and would also be able to travel to and from work while wearing an ankle monitor following the shooting, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Price was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol, but he could face more charges once prosecutors review the evidence collected.
Those injured at the mall were between the ages of 15 to 73, and at least nine suffered gunshot wounds. The other five were hurt while trying to flee the shooting.
All of the victims except a 73-year-old man were treated and released from the hospital. The elderly man is still being treated.
Police detained three people following the shooting on Saturday, but the two other adult males were released once it was determined they were not involved.
Price was arrested previously, four years ago, in June of 2018 and at that time he was charged with accessory before the fact after the shooting death of 17-year-old Amon Rice. However, the outcome of those charges is not clear, Fox News reported.
Columbia Police Chief W.H. Holbrook spoke about the shooting at a news conference, saying, "We don't believe this was random."
"We believe they knew each other and something led to the gunfire," Holbrook said.
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Police have shared that evidence from the scene points to three people having guns and two firearms being used.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott shared that not enough is being done to keep people off the street when they commit crimes, referring to Price having previous run-ins with the law.
"We catch people, they serve a little bit of time, they get out, and they get right back doing what they normally do, and that's commit crimes," Lott said at a recent press conference. "The criminal justice system needs to do better."
As for Price and his attorney, South Carolina state Rep. Todd Rutherford, they claim that his actions were out of self-defense.
"It was unprovoked by him. He called the police, turned himself in, turned over the firearm that was used in this, and gave a statement to the Columbia Police Department," Rutherford said, according to WIS. "That is why he got a $25,000 bond."
The mall where the shooting took place released a statement calling it an "isolated, senseless act of violence."
"We are grateful for the quick response and continued support of our security team and our partners in law enforcement," the statement said.
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