All Clear at University of South Carolina Following Frightening Shooter Report

The University of South Carolina has issued an all-clear after responding to an unconfirmed report of an active shooter on its Columbia campus on Sunday. This development follows earlier reports that both Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga experienced similar situations, leading to temporary lockdowns as they launched their fall semesters.

University of South Carolina students were instructed to seek shelter while law enforcement conducted an investigation. Authorities found no evidence of an active shooter, and there were no confirmed reports of gunfire. The university’s response was driven by an abundance of caution.

According to University spokesman Jeff Stensland, the initial alert was issued, and the library building was methodically cleared by law enforcement, purely as a precautionary measure. Unfortunately, during the evacuation of the library building, two individuals sustained minor injuries.

The original alert was sent out at approximately 6:45 p.m., instructing students to evacuate the vicinity of the Thomas Cooper Library, seek shelter, and barricade themselves if required. A subsequent alert clarified that there was no evidence of an active shooter at that time, but urged students to continue sheltering until an all-clear was given. The University of South Carolina, located in the heart of a city of nearly 145,000 people, boasts a student population of about 38,000.

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This incident follows similar false reports at other universities. In Pennsylvania, a 911 call led to a lockdown at the Villanova School of Law after a reported shooter and a victim. However, the university president later confirmed it was a hoax. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also experienced a lockdown after a similar report, but no evidence of a threat was found.

Related: Villanova Students Terrorized by False Active Shooter Alert

The University of South Carolina, like many institutions, remains vigilant in ensuring the safety of its students and staff, often erring on the side of caution in response to potential threats.