COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Nicholas Wayne Hamlett, a murder suspect from Tennessee, has been arrested in Columbia, according to the Columbia Police Department.
The apprehension took place on Sunday evening when a hospital worker recognized Hamlett at a local medical facility. Law enforcement confirmed his identity using a fingerprint scanner. He is now in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service’s Columbia Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Authorities are coordinating with Tennessee officials to arrange Hamlett’s extradition back to Monroe County, TN.
This development follows a tense situation reported earlier on November 1st, where police were still searching for Hamlett. He is wanted for first-degree murder in connection with a case in Tennessee. Reports indicated that he had been spotted near Chapin High School around 12:30 a.m. that day.
By morning, law enforcement confirmed they had not yet captured him. Due to concerns about Hamlett—described as armed and dangerous—the community was on high alert, and the school district implemented increased security measures.
The U.S. Marshals Service also announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to Hamlett’s arrest.
As of now, school officials have stated that normal operations continue, with an increased police presence in the area. They reassured parents that should the need arise, schools would enter lock-down mode without delay. Classes resumed for Chapin Elementary, Chapin Intermediate School, and Chapin High School under heightened security protocols while law enforcement continued their search for Hamlett.
