Ridgeway, SC – A Fairfield County man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he fired several gunshots into a vehicle during a domestic-related incident earlier this week, leading to an attempted murder charge.
According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Monday, January 12, to a report of a possible shooting at a residence on True Luck Lane in Ridgeway. Investigators were initially alerted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, which had made contact with a female victim at a separate location in Columbia.
Authorities said the victim reported she had been shot at during an incident that occurred at the True Luck Lane address. Investigators later determined the victim had driven her boyfriend, Balewa Mayo Jr., 25, to the residence to drop him off when an argument allegedly escalated.
According to investigators, Mayo Jr. allegedly became angry, physically assaulted the victim, exited the vehicle, produced a firearm, and fired multiple rounds at the vehicle as the victim fled the scene.
Deputies secured the residence and contacted family members while learning the suspect had fled before law enforcement arrived. As investigators prepared to obtain a search warrant, communication with a family member led to Mayo Jr. agreeing to return to the home and surrender. Authorities also obtained information regarding the firearm used in the incident.
A search warrant was executed at the residence, where investigators recovered seven spent shell casings and the suspected firearm. While the search was underway, Mayo Jr. returned to the scene and surrendered without incident. He was transported to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office for questioning.
During an interview, investigators said Mayo Jr. admitted to firing multiple rounds into the victim’s vehicle.
Mayo Jr. has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, domestic violence—high and aggravated nature, and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle. The case remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Investigator Robert Byrd at 803-815-4120 or the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office at 803-635-4141.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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