Mark Baumgartner shot a passing driver outside the Columbia Planned Parenthood on the morning of 11/14/25. Baumgartner is head of the forced-birth nonprofit A Moment of Hope that regularly harasses patients outside of the Columbia Planned Parenthood. 

Video confirms what activists who were there are saying: Baumgartner was recording the victim as they drove by, so the person pulled over and got out to ask why they were being recorded. The video then shows Baumgartner pepper spraying the unarmed driver. They tussle, and Baumgartner ultimately shot the driver who was originally simply... passing by. 

Baumgartner's lack of judgment, poor gun safety, and inability to de-escalate shows he is an active threat to everyone in our community.

50501 SC stands with Planned Parenthood and the activists who support reproductive rights and rally outside the clinic to protect patients from the unhinged far-right forced-birth extremists who jeopardize the safety of our communities. We stand with community members who want answers about why these forced birthers are allowed to put all of us at risk. 

Despite video evidence to the contrary, Baumgartner is trying to claim self-defense. 

50501 SC demands justice for the victim and an end to the harassment of people seeking health care.

50501 SC Demands Justice - Forced-birther shoots unarmed person at Columbia, SC Planned Parenthood