What’s happening in Lexington County?

Irmo man shot, killed

An Irmo man was killed in what appears to be a domestic violence incident.

Irmo police found Brandon Keith Bishop wounded in the New Friarsgate subdivision.

He was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher.

Police believe a woman shot Bishop after he assaulted and threatened her life.

Irmo Police, SLED and the county Coroners Office are investigating the incident.

“This was not a random act,” said Police Capt. Courtney Dennis said.

If you have any information on this case, please call Irmo Police at 803-781-8088.

Lexington man arrested for sex trafficking

Lexington County deputies have arrested a man they said recruited and enticed a woman to perform sexual acts for money.

Gino Smith, 43, is charged with human trafficking, according to an arrest warrant.

Smith promised the victim shelter and money then forced her to perform sexual services from which he profitted, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said.

Smith used threats of physical harm to intimidate the victim.

Smith trafficked the victim at three locations in Lexington County last month, according to Koon.

Smith is being held in the Lexington County Detention Center.

Tip leads to Red Bank drug charge

Lexington County narcotics agents arrested a woman last week after finding meth in her bedroom.

Simonne Chantel Alberti, 49, is charged with possession with intent to distribute meth.

Agents said this charge is considered her 2nd offense due to a previous drug possession conviction.

“Agents followed up on a community tip and obtained a search warrant for a home in the 1000 block of Lawrence Drive,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said. “In addition to the meth in two plastic bags, agents also found digital scales and grocery bags often used to measure and package drugs for sale.”

“This is a great example of residents serving as our eyes and ears in a community,” Koon said.

“Arrests like this make a difference and go a long way toward keeping a neighborhood safe.”

3 vehicle collision leaves 1 dead

A collision involving 3 pickup trucks in Lexington left 1 person dead Friday evening.

The crash happened just before 6 pm, according to South Carolina Highway Patrol Cpl. Sonny Collins.

A flag man had traffic stopped as a construction crew closed lanes on US 178 E near Fogle Road.

A Ford pickup stopped, Collins said. Then a Chevrolet Colorado pickup stopped too for the flag man. A third truck, a 2004 Chevrolet pickup, did not stop. It crashed into the second truck, and that pickup hit the first truck.

An unrestrained passenger in the second truck was killed. The drivers in all of the other trucks were transported to local hospitals.

The accident is under investigation by the highway patrol.

2 county gas stations robbed

West Columbia Police say they are investigating armed robberies at 2 gas stations.

Authorities say the robberies happened Monday around 5:30 am on Sunset Boulevard.

Authorities say no injuries were reported in either robbery.

According to investigators, the suspect robbed the Scotchman gas station at gunpoint on the 2900 block of Sunset Boulevard first.

Police say the suspect then robbed a Circle K gas station at the 1100 block of Sunset Boulevard at gunpoint.

Officers describe the suspect as a black male, who’s 5’6” tall, used a silver handgun and wore a gray hoodie, ski mask, blue jeans and black tennis shoes.

If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Cayce standoff ends peacefully

A 5-hour standoff between Cayce police and a possibly mentally disturbed individual ended peacefully Tuesday morning.

The incident began around 4 am when officers from the Cayce Department of Public Safety were dispatched to a disturbance call in the area of Slann Drive and Riverhill Court.

Upon arrival, police encountered an unidentified individual on top of a roof who claimed to have a weapon.

Negotiators were able to coax the person down shortly after 9 am for transport to an area hospital for evaluation.

Police said no weapon had been found, and no one was injured during the incident.