COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — UPDATE: A spokesperson for the University of South Carolina released this message at 9:56 p.m.:
“At approximately 6:30 this evening, USCPD received a report of gunfire at the Thomas Cooper Library on the Columbia campus. A Carolina Alert was sent instructing the community to avoid the area and shelter in place. Law enforcement responded quickly to the scene and have found no evidence that a shooting occurred.
Videos circulating on social media purporting to show a suspect carrying a firearm are false. There have been false gunfire reports at universities across the country in recent days and tonight’s incident remains under investigation.
We wish to thank our students and staff who were near the scene for their vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement during this incident. Campus is now operating normally and the library will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Monday.”
The statement went on to say students who wish to receive emotional support resources should contact the Office of Student Health and Well-Being.
A spokesperson for the University of South Carolina released this message at 8:23 p.m.:
“At approximately 6:30 this evening, USCPD received a report of gunfire at the Thomas Cooper Library on the Columbia campus. A Carolina Alert was sent instructing the community to avoid the area and shelter in place. Law enforcement responded quickly to the scene. At this time they have uncovered no evidence that a shooting occurred. The shelter in place order has been rescinded but the library remains closed. There were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the building. We will send an update as more information becomes available.”
The University of South Carolina (USC) reported an active shooter on its Columbia campus Sunday evening. As of 7:50 p.m., a Carolina Alert went out stating, “EMS is treating a couple of students with minor injuries that occurred during evacuation. There is still no evidence of an active shooter on the Columbia campus; police are continuing to search the area.”
News 3’s Danielle Cobb spoke to USC student Payton Mullen who lives in a sorority house on campus.
“I went to dinner with a few of my friends at our sorority house and I just got my plate of food. I was sitting down and a bunch of girls ran inside. And I [asked], “Why are you running?” They said, “There’s active shooter.” So, we were all kind of freaking out. I’m getting on my phone. I’m like, “What’s going on?” They sent us an alert that said an active shooter was on campus and to get inside. Our house manager comes in with our president. They said we need to come upstairs and close all the blinds. My mom was calling me. All my friends are texting me, calling me. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on.”
Mullen went on to tell Danielle Cobb the students sheltered in an upstairs interior room. The chapter president told them no one knew what was going on and to stay quiet and keep texting their friends to tell them to be safe.
One of Mullen’s friends was in Russell House which is next to the library where the shooter was allegedly spotted. Mullen’s friend did not respond to any texts and she told Danielle she was “freaking out. Where is she?”
Danielle informed Mullen the police were reporting no sign of an active shooter but to stay inside. Mullen said she and her friends were safe at the moment but had seen videos of people running, screaming and getting down on the ground. She asked Mullen what was going through her mind. “It’s just kind of really terrifying to think that you could have been just walking to the library to study or going to get food and someone tries to take your life. It’s really terrifying.”
As of 7:11 p.m., police have seen no evidence of an active shooter at this time. Students and staff should still continue to shelter until there’s an all-clear.
Students and staff received an email warning them about a shooter on campus, and that they were currently located in the Thomas Cooper Library. The suspect was reported as a 6-feet white male with black pants.
Authorities ask that people avoid the area and seek shelter until further notice. Students and staff are advised to evacuate, barricade and defend themselves as necessary.
Details remain limited at this time.
