Two charged in east Columbia shooting

Two men were charged Tuesday in connection with a shooting that happened Monday afternoon on Eastland Circle.

The two suspects have been identified as Chad Baker, 30, and Alec McCabe, 27. Prosecutors charged Baker with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. McCabe was charged with fist-degree assault.

McCabe told police he went with Baker to confront the victim about an alleged rape, but he was unaware Baker had gun or was going to shoot the victim, according to a probable cause statement.

When officers arrived at the 1100 Block of Eastland Circle at about 1 p.m., they found one man with a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Officers said the victim refused medical attention.

Witnesses told police Baker and McCabe arrived in a black SUV and got into an argument with someone living at the Eastland Circle residence, the statement said.

Baker “pulled a gun out with a pink handle on it and shot the victim,” the probable cause statement said.

Witnesses said they saw the victim spraying both Baker and McCabe with pepper spray and yelling at them to get off his property.

Police found Baker and McCabe and arrested them at Academy Sports, 2651 Trimble Road, shortly after the shooting.

An Academy employee told police Baker and McCabe were acting “sketchy” and discussing the altercation while in the store, according to the statement.

Officers found the suspects’ vehicle in the parking lot, a K-9 alerted police to drugs inside the car and officers found a .38-caliber revolver with a pink grip, the statement said.

“One cartridge in the weapon had been fired,” the probable cause statement said.

Officers also found a bag that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Baker was jailed on a $100,000 cash-only bond and McCabe was jailed on a $1,500 bond. McCabe has an initial court appearance scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Baker has an appearance set for Wednesday.