In 1946, Bomar supervised the ransacking of African-American households in the Columbia Race Riot.
A February 25 fight between James Stephenson, an African-American Navy veteran, and a white shopkeeper reportedly ignited the unrest.
Later that day there was gunfire, fighting and rioting between whites and African Americans in Mink Slide, Columbia's African-American business district.
When black citizens shot out the street lights, three officers and a chief responded to the gunfire; all four were shot.
Bomar, described by one writer as commanding "the firing line of the State Highway Police," led the team sent in after the shootings with permission from the state attorney general to search homes and businesses for weapons.
None of the accused were granted bail or allowed legal counsel, and 12 were charged with attempted murder.


Under oath in court, Bomar said that he had no search warrant and anticipated that he would not have a warrant the next time he searched similar properties.
He called journalist Vincent Sheean a "lying Communistic yellow ——."
According to a contemporary account, "In this situation, even though it's fair to say [Bomar] was just doing his job, it's equally clear that he was a loose cannon.
His personality dominated the scene, and it was the personality of a bully."
In 1946, Bomar supervised the ransacking of African-American households in the Columbia Race Riot. A February 25 fight between James Stephenson, an African-American Navy veteran, and a white shopkeeper reportedly ignited the unrest. Later that day there was gunfire, fighting and rioting between whites and African Americans in Mink Slide, Columbia's African-American business district. When black citizens shot out the street lights, three officers and a chief responded to the gunfire; all four were shot. Bomar, described by one writer as commanding "the firing line of the State Highway Police," led the team sent in after the shootings with permission from the state attorney general to search homes and businesses for weapons. None of the accused were granted bail or allowed legal counsel, and 12 were charged with attempted murder.

Under oath in court, Bomar said that he had no search warrant and anticipated that he would not have a warrant the next time he searched similar properties. He called journalist Vincent Sheean a "lying Communistic yellow ——." According to a contemporary account, "In this situation, even though it's fair to say [Bomar] was just doing his job, it's equally clear that he was a loose cannon. His personality dominated the scene, and it was the personality of a bully."
Lynn Bomar