The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is taking significant steps to hold parents accountable after the tragic death of K9 officer Bumi, who was shot and killed by a 13-year-old on December 23, 2022. This unprecedented move follows the arrest of Shameka Williams, 34, the mother of the young suspect, charging her with accessory after the fact following the incident.
The shooting occurred near the 100 block of Alida Street during the early hours of the morning. According to reports from WOLO, deputies were responding to calls about a stolen vehicle when the pursuit ended with the young suspect allegedly firing the fatal shot at Bumi, who was part of the apprehending officers. The 13-year-old has since entered guilty pleas to charges including attempted murder, illegal gun possession, and unlawfully killing the police dog.
Sheriff Leon Lott announced Williams’ arrest, emphasizing the need for parental accountability, stating, “Unfortunately, what we've seen too much is some who just don't care. If they're not going to hold their kids accountable, we're going to hold these parents accountable.” This reflects not only the sheriff's frustration but also his commitment to taking actionable steps to prevent future incidents.
Surveillance footage revealed Williams picking up her son from the area after the shooting, leading authorities to inspect her home. There, investigators discovered the boy’s clothes hidden within the washing machine and his shoes tucked away in the attic. Lott pointed out the gravity of the situation, saying, “She needs to be held accountable for not knowing where her 13-year-old was on the night of Bumi’s killing.” He reiterated how necessary it is for parents to take their children’s actions seriously and pointed out the risks of condoning such behavior.
The response from law enforcement is part of the sheriff's department's newfound initiative aimed at holding parents responsible for their children’s actions, particularly when they are caught committing crimes. According to Lott, they will now thoroughly investigate the circumstances any time juveniles are caught engaging in criminal activities, especially late at night. “If they’re in trouble and they call you to come pick them up, pick them up and bring them to the sheriff’s department,” he advised, noting the importance of parents exercising proper judgment.
Williams faces not only the criminal charges but also impending civil actions. “We can sue them for up to $5,000 if their child is out here and does damage or kills a (police) dog,” added Lott. He mentioned plans to file a civil lawsuit against Williams to highlight the accountability expected from parents. This move is notable as it has reportedly never been pursued within his knowledge before. Williams could become the first mother sued under this newly established precedent.
Overall, three juvenile suspects have been charged for their involvement with Bumi's death. Besides the 13-year-old shooter, who pled guilty to several charges, another teenager, aged 16, was also sentenced for obstruction of justice, and another, 17-year-old Damien Rashawn Brown, is currently held under similar allegations. The sheriff’s department signals clearly through these actions they want to disrupt the patterns of juvenile crime prevalent in the area.
The loss of K9 officer Bumi, who served alongside his handler Deputy Alan Ware, marks another tragedy for the sheriff’s department, which has lost three K9s this year alone. The community mourns this loss, which not only affected the law enforcement community but also highlighted issues surrounding youth crime and parental responsibility.
Sheriff Lott intends to use this case as leverage for broader discussions on juvenile delinquency, emphasizing the role parents play. “Now, I know our parents love their kids,” he stated during his announcement about Williams’ charge, alluding to the complex emotions involved when balancing parental love and accountability. “But if they’re enabling their bad behavior, then they're simply leading them down the wrong path.”
With the heels of such tragic events, Richland County is setting new standards in its crusade against juvenile crime, illuminating the stark consequences of parental negligence when it involves criminal activity perpetrated by minors. The sheriff's department hopes to set forth examples from this case to inspire community-wide accountability—both of parents and children—thus preventing more incidents like the fatal shooting of K9 Bumi from occurring.