The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has charged two men with attempting to set fire to a Hopkins home with the victim inside. Following their arrests, both Travis Tucker and Christian Irick were found to have stolen guns, some of them modified to become fully automatic, according to the sheriff’s department.
At the time of his arrest, Irick had been released on a $125,000 bond following charges of double murder at an apartment complex on Willow Oak Drive in Columbia.
Around 5:30 p.m. July 14, deputies responded to the 200 block of Country Haven Road in Hopkins following a report of arson. The homeowner told deputies that Irick and Tucker had fled the scene after Tucker allegedly dumped gasoline under a house and attempted to ignite it while the victim was inside, according to a statement released by deputies.
Deputies did not provide any additional information about a motive.
Tucker, 18, was arrested four days later and served the warrant for second degree arson. During his arrest, deputies say he was in possession of a gun stolen from Richland County. The weapon had been modified with an extended magazine and a Glock switch, according to the press release. A Glock switch enables the semiautomatic handgun to function has an automatic weapon.
On Thursday morning, investigators with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, located Irick, 22, at his family’s home in Florence.
“Following the execution of a search warrant at the home, investigators located evidence related to the initial incident on July 14, 2024. Additionally, investigators located a large amount of narcotics and two stolen firearms,” according to the statement released by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies found two guns modified with Glock switches inside of the home. One of those guns was reported stolen from Richland County. A third gun, reported stolen from Orangeburg County, had its back plate removed, which allows for the installation of a Glock switch or other accessories.
Tucker has been charged with second degree arson, possession of a stolen firearm, felon in possession and unlawful carrying of a firearm. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has charged Irick with felony criminal conspiracy. Charges related to the narcotics and firearms located in the home will be brought by Florence County, according to deputies.
He had been granted bond following his arrest in connection with the killings in September 2023 of Daeonte K. Lang, 25, and Christopher Haynes, 21. Irick was taken into custody the morning of Nov. 9, 2023, on the campus of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.
According to court records, Irick was granted bond April 15, 2024, just three months prior to the arson incident. His bond was set at $125,000 and “he was ordered to be on ankle monitoring, maintain gainful employment, and remain on good behavior,” according to the department.
Both men have been transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
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