News Summary
Two men, aged 54, have been arrested in Columbia, South Carolina, following an armed assault and kidnapping incident that occurred last Saturday night. Johnny Young and Shawn Campbell allegedly attacked a male victim at gunpoint while forcing his girlfriend into their vehicle. Law enforcement swiftly apprehended the suspects and discovered drugs in their vehicle. Both are facing multiple serious charges, and the community is urged to come forward with any additional information.
Columbia, SC – Two Arrested for Armed Assault and Kidnapping
Two men, both aged 54, have been arrested following an armed assault and kidnapping incident that occurred last Saturday night in Columbia, South Carolina. Johnny Young and Shawn Campbell are facing multiple charges after allegedly attacking a male victim while he was walking with his girlfriend.
The incident took place around 9 p.m. near the intersection of Fairfield Road and Crane Church Road. According to reports, the male victim reported that Young and Campbell confronted him as he walked in the 500 block of Crane Church Road. The suspects are accused of holding the victim at gunpoint, physically assaulting him, and forcing his girlfriend into their vehicle, which has been identified as a gray Cadillac Escalade.
In a swift response, deputies were able to identify the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop shortly thereafter. Upon stopping the vehicle, law enforcement found both suspects along with the female victim inside. It was reported that she had sustained a head injury and was promptly taken to a local hospital for medical treatment. The male victim, however, refused treatment on the scene.
During the search of the vehicle, deputies discovered drugs and drug paraphernalia, further complicating the charges against the suspects. Subsequently, both Young and Campbell were taken into custody and transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where they were denied bond.
Charges Against Johnny Young
Young faces several serious charges, including:
- Kidnapping
- Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature
- Pointing a firearm at another person
- Possession of a weapon during a violent crime
- First-degree assault and battery
- Possession of an outstanding bench warrant from Family Court in Kershaw County
Charges Against Shawn Campbell
Shawn Campbell has been charged with:
- Kidnapping
- Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature
- First-degree assault and battery
- Possession of crack cocaine
Background on the Suspects
Interestingly, at the time of this incident, Johnny Young was already out on bond from a separate incident. He had a pending charge for first-degree assault and battery stemming from an arrest made on December 26, 2024. This previous arrest sheds light on Young’s ongoing legal issues, which may have contributed to the seriousness of the charges he now faces.
The sheriff’s department released information regarding the incident on May 27, 2025, highlighting the swift actions taken by local law enforcement in responding to the alarming situation reported by the victims. The community remains on edge as details of the case continue to unfold.
As the legal process proceeds, both Young and Campbell are expected to face significant scrutiny in court, particularly concerning the violent nature of their actions and the apparent premeditation involved in the kidnapping. The incident raises concerns about public safety, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information about this case to come forward.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Kidnapping Arrest in West Columbia
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- The State: Local Crime Report
- Google Search: Columbia SC armed assault
- Island Packet: South Carolina News
- Google Scholar: Crime in Columbia South Carolina
- WYFF: Kidnapping and Assault in Columbia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kidnapping
- WLTX: Columbia SC Kidnapping Incident
- Google News: Columbia SC New Crime News
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.
