Teen from Columbia killed in Lexington County shooting, coroner says

Lawmen are looking for a suspect in a fatal shooting that killed a teenager Saturday night in West Columbia, the Lexington County Sheriff said in a news release.

Direko C. Thomas was shot and killed Saturday, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

About 4 p.m., the 18-year-old from Columbia was shot multiple times in the upper body, Fisher said.

Thomas died at the scene, in the 100 block of Miranda Drive, according to Fisher. It’s near U.S. 176/Charleston Highway and about a mile from Exit 119 on Interstate 26.

No other injuries were reported.

The shooter, who has not been publicly identified, went to department headquarters Saturday night, the sheriff’s department said Sunday.

He was interviewed by deputies and provided them with an overview of the events that led up to the shooting, according to the sheriff’s department. No motive for the gunfire has been made public.

No arrests have been made and the shooting continues to be investigated by the sheriff’s department.

Anyone who has information about the shooting is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.