Lexington man charged with killing girlfriend

Lexington County deputies have arrested a man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend at his home Dec. 27.

Brandon Lee Corder, 29, is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to arrest warrants.

The victim was identified as Joanie Leigh Youmans, 42, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher. Youmans was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting in the 100 block of Valley Lane in Lexington.

“Based on information and evidence detectives gathered at the scene, Corder shot Miss Youmans in the upper body with a revolver,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

Corder was arrested at his home a short time after the shooting took place in his backyard, according to Koon.

He’s being held in the Lexington County Detention Center after a magistrate judge denied him bond.

Chapin woman killed

A Chapin woman was struck and killed Dec. 30 while crossing Bush River Road.

Jessica Steward, 45, was attempting to cross the street around 8 pm that evening when she was struck by an oncoming car, according to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts. Stewart was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Richland County Coroner’s Office and the SC Highway Patrol are investigating the incident.

2nd suspect arrested for 3 murders

A 2nd man has been arrested in connection with a shooting incident at a Columbia apartment that left 3 men dead last month.

Jeremy Savoy Cornish, 38, is charged with 3 counts of murder and 1 count of 1st degree burglary, according to arrest warrants.

The 1st suspect, Justin Tyler Ellaree Hopkins, 21, was taken into custody the weekend after the Dec. 17 shootings.

Hopkins is charged with 3 counts of murder, unlawful carrying of a pistol, 1st degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to warrants.

“Cornish has been a part of our investigation since its early stages,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

“Witnesses told detectives early on they’d seen Hopkins running away from the scene and getting into a truck matching the description of 1 Cornish admitted he was driving the day of the incident.”

Investigators have collected evidence linking Hopkins and Cornish to the vehicle and the incident location, according to Koon.

Cornish, a Columbia resident, was taken into custody by members of the US Marshals Service’s fugitive task force Dec. 31 and transported to the Lexington County Detention Center.

He’s being held there while he awaits a bond hearing.