Police are requesting the public’s help in solving Columbia homicides

It’s been three months since Edmund “Ricky” Randolph was found dead on Leeway Drive from a gunshot wound and five months since Gabrielle Rhodes was killed in a shooting on Sylvan Lane.

In both cases, the killer is still on the loose and while police said they receive tips weekly, they’re still not closing in on any updates.

When it’s available, Columbia police always collect evidence at a crime scene but officers said it can take up to a year to get back crime lab results. Police said its the public’s job to help by giving them information or helping corroborate the evidence found.

“The trouble is, every time we have an incident like this, is getting people to talk to the police specifically,” said Jeremiah Hunter, assistant police chief specializing in investigations. “We need the community’s help. We always do. We need it in every instance, especially these, so we need them to do the right thing.” In July, 17-year-old Marquez Reed was shot and killed in Columbia. In less than 24 hours, police were able to identify several suspects, including the alleged gunman. Police attributed quickly finding those responsible to the public and its cooperation with investigating detectives. Often, people are afraid to talk to the police. Sometimes it’s out of fear of the police themselves or fear that there could be retaliation from someone they’ve tipped off police about.
Columbia police said they don’t have to know who the tipster is, just what they know. What they know could lead to Rhodes and Randolph’s killers. “There were multiple people at both incidents and we need someone to call us,” said Hunter “We need someone who was there to call Crimestoppers if they don’t want to talk to us directly or just talk to us.”