Amari Smith, 24, of Columbia has received a sentence of 30 years following his role in the Columbiana Mall shooting that occurred on April 16, 2022. Smith pled guilty to one count of attempted murder and nine counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

Jewayne Price was convicted for his role back in October and received a sentence of 35 years. An additional individual, Marquise Robinson, 22, was convicted in November by a Lexington County jury for his role and is awaiting sentencing by Judge Walton J. McLeod IV. 

According to the press release, on April 16, Price arrived at the mall illegally carrying a firearm in his pants. Shortly after, both Smith and Robinson arrived with concealed weapons in their waistbands.

Video surveillance showed Price pulling his firearm and aiming it at Robinson while Robinson and Smith pulled their firearms. Price and Smith exchanged numerous rounds of gunfire, injuring nine bystanders. Smith, Price and Robinson were not injured during this exchange.

After a further investigation was conducted, officers determined that Smith and Robinson had a previous dispute with Price after a shooting that occurred in 2018, killing Amon Rice, 17.

The Columbiana Police Department and crime scene investigators found at least 17 rounds of ammunition were fired. Eleven rounds matched Price’s firearm and six matched Smith’s firearm.  

11th Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard said, “Once again, the Court addressed the violent nature of this mass shooting. Many lives and families were permanently affected by this tragic event. We hope to reassure the public that acts of violence will not be tolerated in our community.”

Smith was transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to start his sentence.