Columbia police investigate homicide on Ann Street

Columbia police were investigating a homicide in the 500 block of Ann Street early Sunday morning.

According to police, 25-year-old Brandon Coleman was shot and taken to University Hospital, where he later died.

As of Monday night, family members of Coleman told ABC 17 News that police informed them no one would be arrested for the crime, and that prosecutors do not plan to charge the gunman in the murder.

Columbia police have not given ABC 17 News this new information, and have not confirmed what the family said.

Police said they believe a disturbance led up to the shooting. No arrests have been made, but police are not looking for any other suspects at this time.

As of Sunday night, all people involved in the fight and shooting were being questioned at the police department.

Neighbors told ABC 17 News that the murder may have been a drug deal gone wrong. They said they heard fighting and around four gunshots.

Witnesses said a friend of Coleman pulled a gun on an old man living on the street, and the old man’s son shot into the group of people. They recalled hearing a woman say, “If you never pulled a gun, he never would have been shot.”

Several witnesses told ABC 17 News crews that after the crime it was difficult to get a hold of 911 dispatch, and that an ambulance took nearly a half hour to get to the scene. One neighbor said, “I don’t think they really valued him or viewed him as a life. If it was one of their kids they would have been here a lot quicker.”

Several officers and the crime scene/forensic unit were still on the scene Sunday afternoon.

An ABC 17 News crew at the scene saw 13 evidence markers on the ground in the lot next to 506 Ann St.

Police said the shooting happened around 3:12 a.m. The scene was near Hinkson Avenue and the Salvation Army Harbor House.

Stay with ABC 17 News and abc17news.com for updates as they become available.