Columbia, South Carolina, September 2, 2025
News Summary
The University of South Carolina’s police department responded to a reported active shooter on campus, leading to an emergency alert instructing students to shelter in place. The situation, however, was later revealed to be a hoax known as ‘swatting.’ Despite initial alarms, law enforcement found no evidence of a shooter following thorough searches. Although two students sustained minor injuries, the incident has raised concerns about communication effectiveness amidst such threats. The FBI is now investigating this hoax alongside a similar report at another university.
Columbia, South Carolina – The University of South Carolina (USC) responded to an active shooter alert on Sunday evening, prompting an emergency notification that instructed students to shelter in place. However, the situation quickly unfolded as a hoax orchestrated by an anonymous individual, known as “swatting,” according to statements from university officials.
The USC police department received two phone calls reporting a shooter entering the Thomas Cooper Library, with sound effects mimicking gunfire accompanying the calls. Despite these alarming reports, law enforcement conducted a thorough search of the library and surrounding areas and found no evidence supporting the claims; there were no gunshots heard, nor any injuries reported relating to gunfire.
During the evacuation process, two students were treated for minor injuries, although the nature of these injuries was not disclosed. As information emerged about the lack of a real threat, confusion persisted among the USC community regarding the clarity of the notifications. Initial alerts indicated an active shooter situation, causing significant alarm.
One junior student expressed her frustrations regarding the effectiveness of the university’s communication, noting that she had experienced lockdown drills before and found the alerts confusing during the incident. As students awaited confirmation of their safety, misinformation spread rapidly on social media, further escalating the panic across campus.
The FBI has launched an investigation into this hoax and is concurrently examining a similar false report made at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, indicating a potential pattern in these deceptive calls targeting educational institutions at the start of the academic year.
Experts have observed an increasing trend in swatting incidents across universities, particularly during late summer and early fall semesters. Cybercrime analysts suggest that perpetrators typically place calls directly to campuses to create chaos and fear. The Carolina Alert system, managed by USC police, is designed to inform students, staff, and faculty about immediate threats. Nevertheless, university officials emphasized that alerts are sent based on the nature of the reports and available information, prioritizing community safety.
The initial alert sent at approximately 6:30 p.m. warned the university community to avoid the area, while a follow-up message reassured that there was no ongoing emergency, with plans for the library to reopen by 7:30 a.m. the following day. After the building was cleared, police found no shell casings or evidence of shots fired.
An initial description of a potential suspect provided some details, including that the individual was a white male approximately six feet tall and wearing black pants. As the investigation continues, both students and parents have called into question the effectiveness of emergency responses, especially amidst repeated incidents of swatting and the growing prevalence of false active shooter reports. A report from the Educator’s School Safety Network revealed that 63.8% of violent incidents in the 2022-2023 school year were determined to be false active shooter reports.
Conclusion
The event at USC underscores the significant challenges faced by educational institutions in responding to potential threats while ensuring clear and effective communication within their communities. As investigations into this incident continue, university officials and law enforcement are taking further steps to improve safety protocols and enhance alert systems.
FAQs
What was the incident on the USC campus?
The USC campus experienced a swatting hoax on Sunday evening, which falsely reported the presence of an active shooter.
How did the university respond to the alert?
The university issued an emergency notification directing students to shelter in place and subsequently evacuated the area, where police found no evidence of a shooter.
Who is investigating this incident?
The FBI is investigating the hoax along with a similar false report at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.
What are swatting incidents?
Swatting is a term used to describe false reports made to emergency services to provoke a strong response, often involving armed law enforcement.
What measures is USC taking to improve safety communications?
USC officials are reviewing their communication and emergency response protocols to ensure clarity and effectiveness in future incidents.
Chart: Overview of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Swatting Hoax |
| Location | University of South Carolina, Columbia |
| Time of Alert | 6:30 p.m. on Sunday |
| Emergency Response | Shelter in place; evacuation |
| Outcome | No evidence of shooter found, two minor injuries |
| Ongoing Actions | Investigation by FBI; review of communication protocols |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
False Active Shooter Alert Causes Panic at University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina Cleared After Active Shooter Alert
No Active Shooter Found at University of South Carolina
False Active Shooter Alert at USC Resolved
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
Additional Resources
- SC Daily Gazette: A Swatting Hoax Prompted Active Shooter Alert at USC
- WSAV: Active Shooter Reported at USC Columbia
- ABC News: University of South Carolina Issues Clarity After Unconfirmed Reports
- Post and Courier: University of South Carolina Active Shooter Incident
- CNN: University of South Carolina Active Shooter Reported
- Wikipedia: Swatting
- Google Search: Active Shooter Protocols
- Google Scholar: Swatting Hoaxes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Active Shooter
- Google News: USC Active Shooter
Author: STAFF HERE IRMO
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