Columbia Police officers were dispatched to 1612 North Providence Road, Welcome Inn, at 7:10 p.m. today in reference to shots fired.
The preliminary investigation revealed a vehicle was idling in the parking lot of the business when a male suspect entered the vehicle and began to drive off. As the suspect was stealing the vehicle, shots were fired towards the vehicle causing damage to the vehicle. Officers located shell casings from the fired rounds.
As officers were investigating the incident they located the stolen vehicle in the 700 block of Vandiver Drive. The suspect was located in the area on foot; he was detained pending further investigation.
At the time of this release, officers continue to investigate to determine who fired the rounds at the vehicle. There were no reported injuries or further property damage from the gunfire. The investigation is on-going.