Desmond T. Montgomery, 28, was shot and killed early on Wednesday morning, May 13, 2026, outside Club Barcode in Richland County. The Greeleyville, South Carolina neighborhood is in sorrow.
Around one in the morning, Richland County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrived at 224 O’Neil Court in the Columbia neighborhood after hearing reports of a gunshot. When they got there, Montgomery had several gunshot wounds. After being taken to a hospital, he eventually passed away from his wounds.
According to investigators, the incident began when a security guard ejected a couple from the club. Montgomery reportedly returned from his vehicle and confronted the situation, asking a woman who had sprayed her with pepper spray.
A 41-year-old security guard, identified as Nicholas Horton, told authorities he observed Montgomery lift his shirt and draw a gun from his waistband. Horton then fired multiple shots, striking Montgomery. A weapon was recovered near the victim.
The Greeleyville resident’s sudden death has left family, friends, and neighbors in profound grief as they seek understanding of the violent confrontation that ended his life. The nightclub location, previously the site of another security-related shooting earlier in 2026, has drawn renewed scrutiny regarding safety and security practices at the establishment. Montgomery’s passing represents a heartbreaking loss for his loved ones in the small Williamsburg County community.
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford officially identified Montgomery as the victim. Deputies rendered aid at the scene and secured the area following the shooting. No arrests have been made as the investigation remains active and ongoing. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department continues to gather evidence and interview witnesses regarding the sequence of events.
This marks the second shooting involving a security guard at Club Barcode in 2026, prompting questions from the community about the venue and its operations. Family and friends remember Desmond T. Montgomery as a young man whose life was abruptly cut short in what authorities describe as a defensive response by security personnel. The tragedy has reverberated through Greeleyville and the broader Midlands region.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. As the investigation proceeds, the focus remains on providing clarity and justice for Montgomery’s grieving family. The community continues to offer support and condolences to those affected by this early-morning fatal shooting outside the Columbia-area nightclub.
