Columbia Borough police were dispatched to a shooting at South Fourth and Cherry streets at 3:26 a.m. on July 4, 2026. The caller said she was shot, according to charging documents. Police did not identify the caller or provide her age.
She told police Skyler Mathew Barr shot her as she ran away from him. Police said Barr fired 11 rounds at the caller from a 9mm handgun with the intent to kill her, according to charging documents.
A message was left with Columbia police Wednesday morning requesting an update on the shooting victim’s condition.
Police said they found 11 spent 9mm casings in the intersection. One of the bullets struck an occupied home on the 300 block of Cherry Street, and three other rounds struck nearby vehicles, according to police.
Barr was not licensed to carry a gun at the time of the shooting, according to police, who said previous convictions prevent him from owning a firearm.
The Borough of Columbia Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 7:00 pm, has been canceled.
A large number of attendees were expected, for which the Borough Council chambers cannot properly accommodate. The Borough received late notification of the increased attendance and was unable to properly post a change of meeting location in the newspaper.
The Borough plans to relocate the meeting scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 7:00 pm to a larger venue. Information on the change of venue will be posted on social media and in the Lancaster Newspaper in advance of the meeting.
Black Olive Family Diner, 1506 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, June 22. Pass. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (tuna salad, cooked rice, and chili) prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date-marked. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (turkey and manicotti), located in the walk-in cooler and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Observed black residue buildup on the fan guards of the downstairs walk-in cooler. Observed 3M tape, applied by the facility, on the food-contact surface of the deflector plate of the ice maker, making it no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Dry breading mixtures used for dipping of raw animal foods is not sifted every 4 hours to remove excess moisture and doughballs, which may render the dry mixture a temperature-control-for-safety food. Observed wait staff dump a cup of ice in the hand-wash sink at the front counter.
Smoke N Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, regular/complaint, June 22. Pass. An employee’s open beverage container (twist-cap variety) was observed in the back food preparation area. Food employees eating in the food preparation area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food (cookies and raw shell eggs) on top of the oven. Retail food facility is in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required; prior violation, Feb. 17. Observed no chemical sanitizer being used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, and prior to use. Observed a yellow hose inside the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand-washing. Food employee observed preparing food not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: observed water leaking profusely at the drainpipe beneath the hand-wash sink and the three-compartment sink; prior violation, Feb. 17. The food facility does not employ a certified food manager as required. Food facility does not provide lockers or storage for food employee personal clothing and possessions. Observed many food items and personal spray, not pertaining to the business, being stored intermingled with food and food equipment for the business.
Sahd Metal Recycling has notified state environmental regulators of its intent to remediate contaminated soil at the former Cycle Den property, according to documents filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The site, located at 1115 Lancaster Avenue, was found to contain soil contamination from trimethylbenzenes, a group of chemical compounds. The filing was made under the state’s Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, commonly known as Pennsylvania’s “Act 2” program, which allows property owners to clean up contaminated sites according to standards tied to how the land will be used.
Sahd Metal Recycling has opted to pursue a “site-specific standard” for the cleanup, meaning remediation requirements will be tailored to the particular conditions and intended use of the property. According to the notice, the property is expected to remain non-residential for the foreseeable future.
The Act provides for a 30-day public comment period for site-specific standard remediations. The 30-day period is initiated with the publication of the notice, which was published in LNP/LancasterOnline on July 2, 2026. Until August 1, 2026, Columbia Borough may submit a request to Sahd Metal Recycling to develop and implement a public involvement plan involving the municipality in the development of the remediation and reuse plans for the site.
Copies of these requests and of any comments should also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection at 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
In 2012, an accidental fire broke out at The Cycle Den when a motorcycle being serviced sparked and ignited leaked fuel. The resulting three-alarm blaze destroyed the building and its vintage inventory, causing an estimated $2.5 million in damages. The business was rebuilt on the same site and reopened in September 2013. In October 2025, The Cycle Den announced its relocation from Columbia to Glen Rock, PA. The store’s contents were auctioned off in December 2025. Sahd Metal Recycling announced their ownership transition of the property at 1115 Lancaster Avenue on June 23, 2026.
Columbia Spy 
