Columbia, South Carolina – A Columbia woman identified by authorities as a validated gang member has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison following a shooting outside a local nightclub that occurred while she was already on probation for prior felony convictions.
Federal Sentence Handed Down
Taylor Molic Morris, 23, of Columbia, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison, followed by three years of court-ordered supervision, after being convicted of felon in possession of ammunition, according to court records. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The sentence was imposed after prosecutors presented evidence linking Morris to a violent incident outside a nightclub on Broad River Road in the early morning hours of June 11, 2023.
Nightclub Shooting on Broad River Road
Investigators told the court that around 5:00 a.m., Morris was involved in a shooting outside the Columbia nightclub. Surveillance footage, shell casings recovered at the scene, and ballistic analysis were used to reconstruct the incident.
Authorities said Morris possessed a loaded firearm that she had purchased approximately three weeks prior to the shooting. During the incident, she allegedly fired the weapon four times, leaving behind four shell casings. Ballistics testing later confirmed that all casings were fired from the same firearm.
Following the gunfire, Morris fled the scene, prompting a law-enforcement investigation that ultimately led to federal charges.
Gang Affiliation and Criminal History
Prior to the shooting, the Midlands Gang Task Force had already identified Morris as a validated gang member, prosecutors said. Her criminal history included prior convictions for strong-arm robbery and bank fraud.
Because of those felony convictions, Morris was legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. Court records also show that she was on probation for those offenses at the time of the nightclub shooting, a factor that weighed heavily in sentencing.
Federal Charges and Conviction
Rather than charging Morris directly with a violent offense related to the shooting, federal prosecutors pursued a felon-in-possession case, a commonly used statute that allows authorities to remove firearms and ammunition from individuals with criminal histories.
Under federal sentencing guidelines, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon — particularly when connected to a violent incident — can result in substantial prison time. Prosecutors argued that Morris’s gang affiliation, prior convictions, probation status, and the dangerous circumstances of the shooting justified a significant sentence.
Court’s Rationale for the Sentence
In handing down the 46-month prison term, the judge cited the seriousness of the offense, Morris’s prior criminal conduct, and the potential risk to public safety posed by firing a weapon in a crowded nightclub area during early-morning hours.
The additional three years of supervised release will require Morris to comply with strict conditions upon her release, including regular reporting, restrictions on travel, and continued prohibition from possessing weapons.
Public Safety Concerns in Columbia
The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence, gang-related activity, and shootings in nightlife districts across Columbia and the Midlands region. Law-enforcement agencies have increasingly relied on federal partnerships and task forces to pursue gun cases when individuals with criminal records are found in possession of weapons.
Officials say these prosecutions are intended not only to hold offenders accountable, but also to deter future violence and prevent repeat offenses by individuals already known to authorities.
What Happens Next
Morris will serve her federal sentence in a Bureau of Prisons facility, with release subject to good-time credit calculations. Upon completion of her prison term, she will transition into supervised release under federal probation oversight.
Anyone with information related to violent crime or illegal firearms activity is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or submit tips anonymously through crime-stoppers programs.
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