Columbia, August 20, 2025
News Summary
The Bojangles restaurant at 930 Elmwood Ave. in Columbia has closed temporarily for remodeling. The closure comes during ongoing legal troubles related to a shooting incident at another location. Customers can visit nearby Bojangles instead, while the community expresses concern over the restaurant’s future and legal implications.
Columbia – The Bojangles restaurant located at 930 Elmwood Ave. in downtown Columbia has temporarily closed for remodeling, effective at approximately 12:30 p.m. on August 19. Customers visiting the location found an empty parking lot and notices on the doors indicating that the establishment was “closed for remodel.” No specific timeframe has been provided for how long the renovations will take.
During a visit to the site, visible signs of remodeling included paint buckets and various restoration materials inside the lobby. Attempts to contact the restaurant by phone were unsuccessful as callers received a message stating that the number was “temporarily unavailable.” In light of the closure, customers were directed to visit nearby Bojangles locations, including 4301 Fort Jackson Blvd. in Columbia and 1200 Augusta Road in West Columbia.
Background Information
Bojangles is a popular fast-food chain known for its spicy Cajun chicken, breakfast biscuit sandwiches, and traditional Southern sides, such as macaroni and cheese and dirty rice. Nationwide, there are more than 800 Bojangles locations, including 20 in the Columbia and Lexington areas of South Carolina. This closure comes amidst a backdrop of legal troubles following a shooting incident that occurred on December 28, 2024, at their Augusta Road location.
Lawsuit Details
A West Columbia resident, Clayanna Walker-Thomas, has filed a lawsuit against Bojangles and the manager of the Augusta Road location, April Morris, due to the shooting incident. This lawsuit was filed on August 1 and stems from allegations of negligence regarding Bojangles’ hiring and supervision practices related to employees posing a risk.
On the day of the incident, Walker-Thomas and her boyfriend were at the drive-thru window when they were allegedly threatened by an employee, Marterius Byrd, who brandished a firearm. Following this confrontation, another employee, Donte Simpson, reportedly fired over a dozen shots into their vehicle, resulting in multiple injuries to the couple. Walker-Thomas managed to drive herself to Lexington Medical Center for treatment.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Byrd, who had previous arrests, had charges against him dismissed, while Simpson was indicted on attempted murder charges in May. The lawsuit is seeking damages to cover medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other losses associated with the shooting. Walker-Thomas’s attorney has emphasized the necessity for Bojangles to reevaluate their employee training and supervision policies to prevent future incidents.
Current Investigation
As police continue to investigate the shooting incident, they are actively seeking information regarding the second unidentified suspect involved. The shooting was triggered by an alert from a ShotSpotter system around 5:30 p.m., and witnesses have reported that shots were fired from inside the restaurant through the drive-thru window.
As the Bojangles at 930 Elmwood Ave. undergoes its remodeling, the community remains concerned about the ongoing legal case and the implications it could have on the fast-food chain’s reputation in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Bojangles on Elmwood Ave. closed?
The restaurant is temporarily closed for remodeling, but no specific reopening date has been provided.
Where can I find other Bojangles locations nearby?
Customers can visit Bojangles at 4301 Fort Jackson Blvd. in Columbia or 1200 Augusta Road in West Columbia.
What is the nature of the lawsuit against Bojangles?
The lawsuit, filed by Clayanna Walker-Thomas, claims negligence on the part of Bojangles for hiring and supervising employees who posed a risk following a shooting incident at another location.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 930 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC |
| Closure Start Date | August 19, 2023 |
| Remodeling | Ongoing, no specified end date |
| Nearby Locations | 4301 Fort Jackson Blvd. & 1200 Augusta Road |
| Lawsuit Filed | August 1, 2023 |
| Shooting Incident Date | December 28, 2024 |
| Key Allegations | Negligence in employee hiring/supervision |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The State
- WISTV
- MSN News
- Post and Courier
- WLTX
- Wikipedia: Bojangles’
- Google Search: Bojangles shooting
- Google Scholar: Bojangles negligence
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast Food
- Google News: Bojangles shooting lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
