Ricky Bates Obituary, Death – The Richland County Coroner’s Office has officially identified the victim of a fatal shooting that took place over the weekend. Coroner Naida Rutherford confirmed that 34-year-old Ricky Bates lost his life in the early Sunday morning incident. Rutherford added that her office would continue working closely with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting.

According to authorities, the events unfolded in the 4300 block of Mellowood Drive during the early hours of Sunday. Deputies were dispatched shortly before 2 a.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter alert indicating that gunfire had occurred in the area.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body outside a residence. Emergency responders quickly moved him to a local hospital for treatment. His condition has not been released.

During their search of the immediate area, investigators located a second man outside a nearby home. Authorities reported that this victim was unresponsive when found. Despite attempts to save him, he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The coroner later identified this victim as Ricky Bates.

Officials noted that the suspect or suspects responsible for the shooting had fled the area before deputies arrived, leaving law enforcement with limited information at the outset of the investigation. Authorities have not released a description of any potential suspects, and no arrests have been made as of this report.

The sheriff’s department stated that detectives are pursuing multiple leads and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses or surveillance footage that may shed light on what happened. They believe Bates was specifically targeted but have not shared further details about a possible motive.

Residents in the community expressed concern following the violence. Several neighbors said they were startled by the sound of gunfire during the night, while others described waking up to the flashing lights of patrol cars and emergency vehicles surrounding the area.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department assured the public that the shooting is under active investigation and encouraged anyone with information to come forward. Deputies emphasized that tips can be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers to help move the case forward.

Coroner Rutherford extended condolences to Bates’ family and friends, acknowledging the deep pain and loss experienced by loved ones in the aftermath of gun violence. “Our office will continue to work with investigators to ensure the facts surrounding Mr. Bates’ death are brought to light,” she said.

As of now, officials have not clarified whether the two men discovered at the scene were connected to each other or how the confrontation leading to the shooting began. The sheriff’s office is expected to release more information as their investigation progresses.

This incident adds to a string of violent events that have shaken parts of Richland County in recent months, raising concerns about gun violence and community safety. Local leaders have called for continued cooperation between law enforcement and residents to address the underlying issues contributing to these tragedies.

Anyone with knowledge of the shooting is urged to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (803) 576-3000 or submit an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers.

For now, the investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events that left one man hospitalized and another, identified as Ricky Bates, dead.