Columbia, SC, August 26, 2025
News Summary
The University of South Carolina issued an all-clear after a false active shooter alert prompted a campus-wide emergency response. The alert was raised when two emergency calls reported gunfire at the Thomas Cooper Library. Law enforcement searches revealed no evidence of a shooter, and while students were evacuated safely, two sustained minor injuries. The incident has raised concerns about the rising trend of false active shooter alerts occurring in educational institutions nationwide.
Columbia, SC – The University of South Carolina (USC) announced an all-clear at 8:11 p.m. EDT on Sunday, following a false active shooter alert that had been issued earlier in the evening. The alarm was initially raised at 6:45 p.m. when reports came in about an active shooter in the Thomas Cooper Library, prompting campus-wide emergency protocols.
After conducting systematic searches of buildings around the library, law enforcement found no evidence of an active shooter. Reports indicated a suspect description of a 6-foot tall white male wearing black pants; however, the investigation has confirmed that no evidence supporting the existence of such an individual was found on campus. The campus community was instructed to shelter in place until the situation was resolved.
Police received two emergency calls reporting an active shooter between 6:30 p.m. and 6:32 p.m. These calls included background noise that resembled gunfire. Despite the chaos, no evidence was found indicating that the calls originated from the university campus. In keeping with standard safety protocols, the Carolina Alert system was activated to keep the USC community informed, and university officials coordinated ongoing updates on the situation.
Although the situation was resolved with an all-clear notification, heightened security measures were maintained throughout the evening. The library remains closed until further notice while public safety officials remained at the scene to ensure ongoing safety. A university spokesperson reported that the alert was sent out of an abundance of caution.
During the evacuation of the library, two students sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital, where they were later released. USC’s police department is continuing its investigation in collaboration with state and local law enforcement agencies.
This incident comes on the heels of a string of false active shooter reports at educational institutions across the nation, raising community concerns about safety and security resources. Just days prior, Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga experienced similar false alarms, which caused panic among students and staff. The Villanova University president described their situation as a “cruel hoax.”
Reports indicate that incidents of false active shooter alerts, commonly referred to as “swatting,” have surged significantly. Data shows that such incidents have increased from about 400 in 2011 to over 1,000 in 2019, with over 800 incidents documented recorded across U.S. schools from January 2023 to June 2024 alone. Videos circulating on social media, including one that purported to show a suspect carrying a firearm, were found to be misleading, with the footage actually depicting a student holding an umbrella.
The library at USC has since reopened on August 25, following the completion of law enforcement’s search. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the source of the false reports, reflecting a collective effort among local and federal law enforcement agencies, as seen in similar incidents in the past.
FAQ
What triggered the false active shooter alert at USC?
The alert was triggered by two calls to law enforcement reporting an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library, which included background noise resembling gunfire.
Were there any injuries reported during the evacuation?
Yes, two students sustained minor injuries during the evacuation and were treated at a local hospital; both have since been released.
What measures are being taken to investigate the incident?
USC’s police department is working in collaboration with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the source of the false reports.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event | False active shooter alert issued at USC |
| Timeline | Alert triggered at 6:45 p.m. EDT, all-clear at 8:11 p.m. EDT |
| Security Actions | Campus-wide emergency response, shelter-in-place directive |
| Injuries | Two students treated for minor injuries |
| Investigative Collaboration | USC police with state and local law enforcement |
| Similar Incidents | Related false alerts at Villanova and UT Chattanooga |
| Swatting Trend | Surge in false active shooter reports nationwide |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Swatting Hoax Triggers Active Shooter Alert at USC Library
USC Confirms No Active Shooter After Panic-Inducing Alert
Swatting Hoax Causes Panic at University of South Carolina
Gunman Opens Fire at CDC Campus in Atlanta, Officer Dies
Manhunt Underway for Suspect in Anaconda Bar Shooting
Incident at Haywood Mall Causes Lockdown and Panic
Additional Resources
- USA Today: Villanova University South Carolina False Active Shooter Reports
- Wikipedia: Active shooter
- WYFF4: University of South Carolina Active Shooter Swatting Hoax
- Google Search: University of South Carolina active shooter
- The State: USC Active Shooter Incident
- Google Scholar: Swatting false active shooter
- Newsweek: Active Shooter Reported University of South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Swatting
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