Richland County, South Carolina

From Columbia’s The State of December 18, 2006

Summerville man dies after being shot

A Summerville man died Sunday morning in Richland County after being shot, according to Richland County sheriff’s reports.

Roderick J. Gadsden of Summerville bled to death from a gunshot wound, said Richland County Coroner Gary Watts.

About 3 a.m. Sunday, Gadsden broke down the front door at a home on Rocky Mount Road where his former girlfriend, Fareeda Sims, and her current boyfriend, Jason L. Washington, were asleep, said Lt. Chris Cowan, Richland County Sheriff’s Department spokesman.

Washington, of Columbia, woke up and argued with Gadsden, Cowan said. Washington then took out a handgun and fired several shots, striking Gadsden, who died inside the house, Cowan said.

No charges have been filed, but Cowan said the case is under investigation.

In May, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department charged Gadsden with criminal domestic violence in an incident involving Sims, Cowan said.