FOREST ACRES, SC (WSPA) – The Forest Acres Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own after a shooting Wednesday morning at Richland Mall near Columbia.
After receiving a call about a suspicious person at the mall, Officer Greg Alia attempted to locate the suspicious person. Officer Alia was shot during the ensuing scuffle and succumbed to his injuries.
A seven-year veteran of the force, Alia was married with a 6-month-old baby.
“[Alia was] a local kid, grew up here. As a matter of fact, this was his neighborhood as well, and it’s just so sad something like this had to take his like, and so early,” said Lt. Curtis Wilson of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
A GoFundMe page for Officer Alia has brought in thousands of dollars of donations in the hours after the shooting.
According to officials with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the shooting suspect is Jarvis Hall, 34, of Eastover, SC. Hall was taken into custody at the scene and is charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, adds SLED.
Hall was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County. SLED investigated the case at the request of the Forest Acres Police Department.
WEB EXTRA: View the arrest warrant for Jarvis Hall
The Forest Acres Police Department released the following statement:
Our Forest Acres Police Department puts themselves out on the line for us everyday; with no expectations of thanks, reward, or thoughts for their own safety.
Today that risk was revealed as we mourn the tragic murder Officer Gregory Alia.
The Town of Forest Acres is a close knit family and the entire community is heartbroken. We are coming together to support our police officers and the Alia family. We will continue to care for and support his newborn son, wife, and parents.
We ask that everyone pray for and think about the Alia’s; as we honor Greg’s memory and follow his lead of service above self.”
Sincerely,
Mayor Frank Brunson
On behalf of the entire City
