The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has announced the arrest of a 26-year-old man in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on November 29 on Percival Road, resulting in the death of an acquaintance.
The incident took place in the 300 block of Percival Road in Richland County, South Carolina. Deputies who responded to the scene found the victim unresponsive with a gunshot wound and pronounced them dead shortly thereafter. Investigators revealed that Mario Baca Corrales, aged 26, had been involved in a verbal altercation with the victim before it escalated into gunfire. Corrales fled but was later apprehended by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force. This incident contributes to a rising number of homicides in the county this year, highlighting concerns over interpersonal disputes leading to violence.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, this case marks the 24th homicide reported in the county for 2025. Deputies located Corrales on December 1 at an acquaintance’s home in Summerville, where he was arrested without incident and subsequently booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. He faces charges of murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Sheriff Leon Lott has emphasized ongoing efforts to quickly apprehend violent offenders through interagency cooperation and intelligence-based investigations.
State data from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) indicate that there were 566 homicides recorded statewide in 2024, up from 544 in the previous year, continuing an upward trend in violent crime. Richland County is consistently among the top three counties for homicide rates within South Carolina. Experts attribute domestic conflicts and firearm accessibility as common factors contributing to local homicide cases. Law enforcement efforts to curb violent crime include expanded fugitive task forces and community outreach programs focused on conflict de-escalation.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, based in Columbia, South Carolina, was established in 1786 and is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state. Under Sheriff Leon Lott’s leadership since 1997, it provides policing services to over 400,000 residents across an area spanning 756 square miles. The department’s responsibilities encompass criminal investigations, patrol operations, detention services, and public safety education. Recognized for its modern policing techniques and interagency coordination efforts aimed at reducing violent crime and improving community trust, RCSD frequently collaborates with federal and state agencies to address gang activity and gun violence.
