Columbia Police ID man killed

The identity of the man killed in a shooting involving Columbia police has been released.  .

The suspect has been identified as 38-year-old James Sears III. He was being investigated for distribution of narcotics and was known to be armed and dangerous when Police located him Wednesday at a Columbia gas station. 

Police report Sears drew a gun on the officers and was then shot when he ignored their commands. 

He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.   

The Department is conducting an internal investigation, and the Highway Patrol is also investigating the incident.