Richland jury convicts man of assault and battery first degree; Judge sentences him to 10 years
March 23, 2026
On March 10, a jury convicted Matthew Byrd of assault and battery first degree after three hours of deliberation. The Honorable Heath Taylor sentenced Byrd to 10 years in a State Department of Corrections facility.
Byrd and the victim had a tumultuous relationship. On April 28, 2022, Byrd went to an acquaintance’s apartment where the victim was visiting.
When Byrd entered the apartment, he shot the victim and fled the scene.
Emergency medical services took the victim to a hospital, where he stayed for a month.
Law enforcement arrested Byrd 14 days later in Lexington County.
The City of Columbia Police Department investigated the case. The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted it. Assistant Solicitors Nick Fowler and Luke Pincelli led the prosecution.