Update: The all clear has been given and the shelter-in-place order has been lifted at the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina after a report of an active shooter earlier this evening.
After an initial search, the police found no evidence of any threats on the campus. The Thomas Cooper Library remains closed as police continue their investigation.
Two injuries were reported in the evacuation of the library building after the initial report and lockdown order.
The university released the following statement:
At approximately 6:30 this evening, USCPD received a report of gunfire at the Thomas Cooper Library on the Columbia campus. A Carolina Alert was sent instructing the community to avoid the area and shelter in place. Law enforcement responded quickly to the scene.
— University of South Carolina (@UofSC) August 25, 2025
At this time, they have uncovered no evidence that a shooting occurred. The shelter in place order has been rescinded but the library remains closed. There were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the building. We will send updates as info. becomes available.
— University of South Carolina (@UofSC) August 25, 2025
Officials have not called the incident a hoax, but the investigation continues at this hour.
Original Story: An Active shooter alert has been sent to students on the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina. A heavy police presence is in the area as students have been advised to barricade themselves in a safe area and be prepared to fight the shooter should they encounter him. There have been no reports of injuries at this time.
The shooter, who is described as a six-foot-tall white male, and dressed in black, is reported to still be in the area.
BREAKING: An active shooter has been reported on the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus at Thomas Cooper Library. Subject is reported as a white male with black pants, approximately 6 feet tall and still in the area pic.twitter.com/6HgkCJkbXj
— Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) August 24, 2025
Initial reports stated that the shooter entered the Thomas Cooper Library and opened fire. Security camera footage then showed a man, believed to possibly be the shooter, calmly walking across campus toward the campus village.
Live footage of the school shooter running around South Carolina pic.twitter.com/RaUHFZyGzi
— Gamecock grady (@gradywilkins36) August 24, 2025
Live look at active shooter casually walking around University of South Carolina campus. pic.twitter.com/FXAhsP966R
— Willy GoOut (@Willie_GoOut) August 24, 2025
Another angle, walking over the bridge to campus village at University of South Carolina. Active shooter pic.twitter.com/YHKHfCaoIB
— Willy GoOut (@Willie_GoOut) August 24, 2025
There have been no initial reports of injuries, and police are currently searching the campus.
Active Shooter Alert at University of South Carolina Columbia Campus 1840 24 August 2025.
— Joe Foxx (@FIRE_The_RINOS) August 24, 2025
Public Address service states Thomas Cooper Library. pic.twitter.com/8D27KzJCsX
Police report that they have not encountered the shooter or found injuries.
It is possible that reports could be another hoax, such as the active shooter reports at Villanova University earlier this week.
Villanova victim of ‘cruel’ active shooter ‘hoax’ that sends terrified new students, families scrambling during move-in, mass https://t.co/VJOsfSGIPR pic.twitter.com/y3oD9zEGTS
— New York Post (@nypost) August 21, 2025
🚨 YET ANOTHER ACTIVE SH00TER HOAX?
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 24, 2025
University of South Carolina - Columbia put out an alert saying there was an active shooter reported in the library.
Now they’re saying there is “NO EVIDENCE” of a shooter
There’s just this video of a man carrying an object.
Why does this… pic.twitter.com/JrwxkHRDUt
Police will treat this report as if it's real until proven otherwise. The university has continued its shelter-in-place order until the campus is cleared by police.
The legitimacy of the threat is unclear at this time. We'll update this story as details are confirmed.