Columbia police search for man who shot delivery driver

A delivery driver suffered a gun shot wound to his arm while on the job Saturday night in Columbia.

A news release sent by the Columbia Police Department said officers responded to a shooting call at the 1500 block of Towne Drive, near Interstate 70 and Route B, at 11:24 p.m. Saturday. Police say a black male in a green coat approached the driver after he made a delivery in the area. The suspect pointed a gun at the driver and demanded money, according to the release.

Marcail Smith called Wise Guys Pizza around 10 p.m. Saturday. She said she opened the gate for the driver when he arrived shortly after 11, and paid for the meatlover’s pizza in the parking lot of the Columbia Crossing apartment complex. Then, she used the remote key to open the gate and let the driver leave.

“And then I was walking back when I heard the gunshots,” Smith said.

Police say the driver pushed the suspect’s gun away from him. Then, the suspect fired, and shot the driver in the arm.

“The suspect did not obtain any valuables from the victim, but fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction of travel,” the news release said.

Smith told ABC 17 News she heard three gunshots before heading inside. Shortly after, police came to her door to ask her about the situation.

“Police show up at my door and say, ‘Your pizza delivery guy got shot.’ So I thought, ‘Oh man, I feel bad about ordering that pizza.'”

The delivery driver was taken to a hospital.

An employee at Wise Guys Pizza declined to comment on the situation, deferring to the owner, who would be in on Monday.