Richland County, S.C. — Authorities have identified the woman who died following a shooting at a Columbia hotel earlier this week. Officials confirmed that 30-year-old Zakiyah Ali succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday, two days after being critically wounded at the InTown Suites on Two Notch Road.
According to Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford, deputies responded to the hotel around 6 p.m. Sunday after receiving reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found Ali suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Emergency responders rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she underwent treatment for two days before tragically passing away from her injuries.
Investigators quickly identified 33-year-old Jerry Williams as the suspect in the case. Williams was initially arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. However, following Ali’s death, prosecutors upgraded his charges to murder. Jail records show that Williams had previously been denied bond on the original charges, and he now remains in custody at the Richland County Jail awaiting court proceedings on the more serious charge.
Authorities said the shooting stemmed from an argument that escalated into violence, though the nature of the dispute has not been disclosed. Investigators have also not confirmed whether Ali and Williams knew each other prior to the confrontation. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department stated that the investigation is ongoing, with detectives working alongside the coroner’s office to review evidence and witness statements to build the case.
The death of Ali has left her family and the wider Columbia community in mourning. At just 30 years old, she was remembered as a young woman whose life ended far too soon in an act of senseless violence. Her killing adds to a growing list of homicides in Richland County this year, a trend that continues to worry both law enforcement and residents. Community leaders have reiterated the urgent need for conflict resolution and public awareness initiatives to prevent disputes from escalating into deadly encounters.
Sheriff’s officials emphasized their determination to secure justice for Ali and her loved ones. They also called attention to the devastating impact of combining firearms with heated arguments, reminding the public that such situations often lead to irreversible consequences. As prosecutors prepare to pursue the murder case in court, authorities have urged anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.