Dec. 1--The operator of a Two Notch Road motel where a man was shot and killed Nov. 21 has plans to improve security.

Ron Finley, who has run the Grand Motel for 10 years, said he would buy three more cameras, bringing the total on the property to five. Currently, there are portions of the 41-room motel the cameras can't see.

He also plans to reinforce the chain-link fence at the rear of the motel with barbed wire. He said people cut the fence trying to sneak into the motel.

Tyrell M. Williams, 20, was killed in an apparent attempted armed robbery in his room at the motel. Two men -- Eugene Frost, 34, and Larry Brown, 47 -- have been charged with murder in the killing.

Frost temporarily escaped custody Monday by running through an elementary school, triggering a lockdown of four schools. He was captured Tuesday.

Lt. Chris Cowan, spokesman for the Richland County Sheriff's Department, said deputies have discussed security with the motel's management.

Most of the 30 or so criminal incidents at the motel in 2006 have been minor, such as trespassing and disorderly conduct, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Still, several assaults were reported, and officers caught three people with crack cocaine on the property. On Oct. 27, a person was accused of pointing a handgun at someone else.

In 1999, Carl Richardson, 49, was stabbed to death with a steak knife at the Grand Motel. His girlfriend Jacquelyn Williams was arrested and charged in his death.

Finley said it is an "ongoing battle" to keep the motel free of drugs and prostitution.

"I try to provide a place where lower-income people can come that's safe," he said.

Finley said he requires identification from each person who stays in the rooms. People caught or suspected of having drugs or being involved in prostitution are kicked out.

A large sign at the motel entrance directs visitors to the office. If they don't stop, desk staff is supposed to investigate.

A manager working the night Williams was killed in room 162 was on his way to the room to figure out why the people had not stopped at the office.

The 24-hour desk staff is supposed to patrol the grounds once an hour, Finley said. After 10 p.m., only people staying at the motel are allowed.

Finley said about 60 percent of the people who rent rooms stay for three of four months at a time. The other 40 percent rent nightly but sometimes end up staying longer.

People who live and work nearby say they might not like the look of the brick motel with the green-and-burgundy door, but they have not had problems with its guests.

Lavette Heyward is a manager at Grand Divas, a hair salon across the street.

"It's a bad spot," she said. "All kinds of stuff goes on there, but the people don't bother you."

John Barfield has operated his business, Quality Health Enterprises, just off Two Notch Road, for 30 years.

The business has bars on the windows and security cameras to ward off break-ins. He said no one from the motel has bothered the business.

Reach Tate at (803) 771-8549.

SHOOTING UPDATE

Two Columbia men charged in the fatal shooting of a man at a motel Nov. 21 were denied bail Thursday after waiving their right to appear in court..

Larry Brown, 47, and Eugene Frost, 34, both of Harper Street, are accused of killing Tyrell Williams, 20, at the Grand Motel on Two Notch Road during a fight over money and drugs.

Each is charged with murder and attempted armed robbery. Brown also is charged with possession of a firearm.

Brown was arrested at his home Monday by the Richland County Sheriff's Department.

When Frost arrived at his home and saw deputies, he ran through Watkins-Nance Elementary School to elude them, deputies said.

Frost was arrested Tuesday at Western Inn on Bush River Road.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The State, Columbia, S.C.

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