sfretwell@thestate.com
A man authorities believe killed his estranged wife and wounded her mother in Columbia late Thursday, killed himself Friday as state and local police moved in to arrest him.
Omar Kenyatta Gordon, a 32-year-old restaurant worker, fled to Williston in Barnwell County after Thursday’s 11 p.m. shooting and was staying at a relative’s house, Columbia police said.
He shot himself after indicating to a team of law enforcement agents that he did not want to come out of the home, Columbia police spokesman Brick Lewis said.
“He had fled to that location at some point between the shooting and when we tracked him down,” Lewis said. “He was there overnight, we believe.”
Earlier Friday, police had issued notice they were looking for Gordon. The State Law Enforcement Division’s fugitive tracking team then traced him to the home in Barnwell County.
Police were seeking Gordon in the shooting death of 25-year-old Raschun Jessica Gordon. She died in the front yard of her grandmother’s home at 2928 English Ave. from multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said the shooting occurred while a child slept inside. Columbia police said the shooting involved a domestic argument.
Raschun Gordon’s mother, whose name was not available, also was shot but was in a Columbia hospital Friday with non-life-threatening injuries, Watts said.
Authorities believe the 6-foot, 181-pound suspect was waiting for Raschun Gordon with a handgun outside her grandmother’s home Thursday night.
“He ambushed them as they came outside,” Watts said.
Gordon had a criminal record and had spent time in jail, but it was not immediately known what the offenses were.
“He was a bad guy,” Lewis said. “He wanted do her harm.”
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