Family holds vigil for victim after early morning shooting at Waffle House

The family of the late Anthony Warren held a vigil after he killed in a shooting early Monday morning at a central Columbia Waffle House.

Friends and family gathered to pay their respects, mourn the loss of Warren, and stand by the three children the 30-year old left behind.

“It’s a sad way to bring in the new year,” Bill Thompson, a family friend, said. “But hopefully we can make this a better year.”

Warren’s death, which occurred around 2 a.m. Monday, is the first homicide of 2018. In 2017, Columbia police investigated nine homicides, which tied a 20-year high set in 2000.

“I’m hoping we can try to find some answers to address the growing violence with our young people,” Thompson said. “Because this seems like it’s not an isolated incident.”

Attendants offered money for funeral services and food to the family. Many were overcome with emotion as speakers address the crowd.