News Summary
Brian R. King, a 44-year-old man, has been arrested by Columbia Police after a violent crime spree that included the stabbing of an officer. King faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree burglary and assault on an officer. His lengthy criminal history has raised public safety concerns. The incident underscores challenges in managing repeat offenders and highlights the need for community vigilance. While the injured officer has been cleared to return to duty, this event brings attention to ongoing crime issues in the area.
Columbia – A 44-year-old man named Brian R. King was arrested by Columbia Police following a violent crime spree that included the stabbing of a police officer. King faces a series of serious charges stemming from the events that unfolded on June 9, including assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, and first-degree burglary among other offenses.
The police were called to the 1200 block of Elmwood Avenue around 11:30 a.m. after reports of a man vandalizing a local business. Upon arrival, officers learned that the business owner had asked King to vacate the premises. However, instead of complying, King allegedly attempted to strike the owner with a metal object before making an attempt to break into a neighboring building.
Initially, King tried to evade arrest but was eventually taken into custody by police. Following his arrest, he was transported to a hospital for precautionary measures related to an unknown issue. However, while in the ambulance, King managed to escape, prompting a renewed search by authorities.
Columbia Police quickly tracked King down to the 1000 block of Pope Street, where he reportedly stole a car. Shortly after stealing the vehicle, King crashed into a street sign. Following this, he broke into an unoccupied house in the vicinity where he allegedly stole a pocketknife.
When officers attempted to recapture him, King used the pocketknife to stab one officer in the upper arm. Despite suffering an injury, the officer successfully apprehended King. The officer’s injury was reported to be minor, and he was treated and released from the hospital on the same day.
King now faces a total of nine charges, including assault on an officer while resisting arrest, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, auto-breaking, grand larceny, malicious injury to real property, and escape. He is currently being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
King has a troubling history with law enforcement, as he has been arrested a total of 26 times across nine different agencies, with over 20 convictions for various offenses that include drug possession and domestic violence. This lengthy criminal history raises concerns about public safety and the challenges facing law enforcement in dealing with repeat offenders.
The situation has highlighted the complexities of managing individuals with extensive criminal records, particularly when they engage in violent acts. Police departments continually emphasize the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the safety of residents.
While the injured officer has been cleared to return to duty, the events leading to King’s latest arrest bring attention to ongoing issues with crime in the area and the need for effective measures to prevent future incidents.
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Additional Resources
- WISTV: Man Arrested After Escaping Custody, Stabbing Officer
- Wikipedia: Policing in the United States
- WLTX: Man Charged in Stabbing of Columbia SC Police Officer
- Google Search: Columbia Crime News
- ABC Columbia: Officer Stabbed During Arrest
- Google Scholar: Violent Crime in Columbia
- WACH: Man Accused of Stabbing Police Officer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
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.
