Columbia, South Carolina, August 26, 2025
News Summary
The University of South Carolina announced there was no evidence of an active shooter after a false alarm created panic among students. An alert early Sunday evening prompted students to shelter in place, but police found no signs of gunfire. Investigations revealed the incident was a swatting hoax. Despite minor injuries during the evacuation, no significant danger was present. Law enforcement authorities, including the FBI, participated in the investigations, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against such hoaxes.
Columbia, South Carolina – The University of South Carolina (USC) confirmed there was no evidence of an active shooter on campus after an alert caused widespread panic among students on Sunday night. The alert, which was issued around 6:30 p.m., instructed students to shelter in place and evacuate the area immediately.
The initial alert described a suspect as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing black pants. It focused on the Thomas Cooper Library area, urging those nearby to steer clear while the police conducted their investigation. The message included alarming instructions advising students to “defend yourself if you encounter the suspect” and to “obey public safety officials’ commands.”
As police arrived on the scene, they systematically cleared the library floor by floor, but they reported finding no evidence of a shooting or any shell casings. By approximately 7 p.m., USC updated its alert to inform students and faculty that there was no evidence suggesting an active shooter situation existed. The all-clear was announced around 8 p.m.
During the evacuation process, two minor injuries were reported, although these were not related to an active shooter. Witnesses on the campus indicated that noises they heard could have been misconstrued as gunfire, contributing to the panic that ensued.
In response to the incident, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the FBI, joined in the investigations. USC officials later determined that the incident was a swatting hoax, involving calls made by an unknown male who used background noises to mimic gunfire.
This event at USC was reminiscent of several similar incidents that occurred just days prior. False active shooter reports prompted lockdowns at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. At Villanova, a supposed shooter was reported to be inside a law school building, which was later confirmed as a hoax. Similarly, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga faced its own scare, which was investigated as a potential case of swatting.
The University of South Carolina hosts approximately 38,000 students in a city with a population of nearly 145,000. Following the incident, USC officials commended students for their rapid response and adherence to law enforcement instructions during the emergency. The library was scheduled to reopen at 7:30 a.m. the following day.
Background on Swatting Incidents
Swatting refers to the act of falsely reporting a serious incident, such as an active shooter, to prompt a large law enforcement response. This dangerous practice has become more prevalent, with several institutions recently falling victim to similar false alarms. These incidents can cause panic, disrupt the educational environment, and waste valuable law enforcement resources.
Conclusion
The prompt action taken by law enforcement and the cooperation of the USC community helped to resolve the situation without further incident. Authorities continue to stress the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity while also being cautious of potential hoaxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at USC on Sunday night?
The University of South Carolina issued an alert for a possible active shooter, leading students to shelter in place. Police responded, and after investigation, confirmed there was no evidence of a shooter.
Was there any real danger during the incident?
No, the police investigation found no evidence of shots fired or an active shooter. The situation was later determined to be a swatting hoax.
How did students react during the alert?
Students were instructed to shelter in place and evacuate the area. Two minor injuries occurred during the evacuation, but these were not related to any shooting.
What is a swatting hoax?
Swatting is the act of falsely reporting a dangerous situation, such as an active shooter, to provoke a large-scale police response. This dangerous practice can lead to panic and misuse of law enforcement resources.
What measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents?
Authorities are emphasizing the importance of reporting suspicious activity and raising awareness about the potential for swatting incidents. Educational institutions continue to improve their emergency response protocols.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Swatting Hoax Reported as Active Shooter |
| Location | University of South Carolina, Thomas Cooper Library |
| Time of Alert | 6:30 p.m. on Sunday |
| Police Response | Cleared Library, No Evidence Found |
| Injuries | Two minor injuries during evacuation |
| Follow-Up | All-clear confirmed by 8 p.m. |
| Next Steps | Library reopened at 7:30 a.m. next day |
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Additional Resources
- WSOC TV
- Wikipedia: Swatting
- WLTX
- Google Search: active shooter University of South Carolina
- ABC Columbia
- Google News: University of South Carolina active shooter
- The State
- Encyclopedia Britannica: active shooter
- ABC News
- Google Scholar: swatting hoax
- WSAV
- CNN
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
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