Columbia man who shot 11-year-old in thigh sentenced to 17 years in prison
March 23, 2026
On March 19, Jamal Eichelberger-Carreker pleaded guilty to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, two counts of discharging a firearm into a dwelling, and two counts of assault and battery. The Honorable Heath Taylor sentenced Eichelberger-Carreker to 17 years in a South Carolina Department of Corrections facility.
On March 10, 2024, in the afternoon, Eichelberger-Carreker fired into multiple homes while riding as a passenger in a vehicle. An 11-year-old was shot in the thigh while sitting in his living room watching TV.
The child’s mother was sitting in her vehicle outside during the shooting and recorded the suspect vehicle’s license plate.
The vehicle’s owner told investigators who had possession of his car that afternoon. Video surveillance confirmed the owner was at the gym playing basketball when the shooting occurred.
Law enforcement identified Eichelberger-Carreker as the shooter through witness statements, a cellular phone download, and latent print analysis.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office prosecuted the case. Senior Assistant Solicitor Kathryn Cavanaugh led the prosecution. Richland County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Henry Dukes led the investigation.