An active shooter alert was issued on Sunday evening at the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus, specifically at the Thomas Cooper Library. The university sent out an emergency warning to students, staff, and faculty through its public address system at 6:40 p.m. local time, urging them to shelter in place while police responded.
Authorities described the suspect as a white male, approximately six feet tall, wearing black pants, and said they believed he could still be in the area. However, it remained uncertain whether any shots had actually been fired during the incident.
A significant police presence was quickly established in and around the campus, which sits in downtown Columbia just south of the Congaree River. Law enforcement officers swept the area and secured buildings while students and staff followed safety instructions.
Later in the evening, the university issued an "all clear" notice, confirming there was no ongoing emergency. The message stated: “ALL CLEAR. ALL CLEAR. There is no ongoing emergency at this time; you no longer need to shelter in place. The Thomas Cooper Library building remains closed until further notice. Public safety officials are on the scene. Obey public safety officials' commands.”
The investigation into the incident is ongoing as officials work to confirm whether a firearm was discharged and to determine the circumstances that led to the emergency alert.
