USC Confirms No Active Shooter Threat After Campus Alert: What You Need to Know

COLUMBIA — On August 24, reports of an active shooter at the University of South Carolina sent students and faculty into a panic. An alert was sent out at 6:36 p.m. warning everyone to stay clear of the Thomas Cooper Library area. But by 7:10 p.m., officials announced there was no evidence of a shooter.

The police were still on the lookout for a man described as a white male in black pants, around 6 feet tall. By 8:04 p.m., the university gave the all-clear, telling students they could leave their safe spots. However, the library remained closed for further checks.

During the chaos, a few students suffered minor injuries while evacuating. Initially, the university reminded everyone to either evacuate or barricade themselves and follow safety officials’ instructions.

Mary Smithnosky, a senior, was nearby when she saw students running away. “I didn’t even know why they were running at first. Everyone was just scared,” she shared. She found shelter in the student union with others, including a minister.

Freshmen Connor Schieck and Julian Galli were having dinner when they received a text about the shooter. They quickly turned back to the student union, joining others in the evacuation.

This incident highlights the growing concerns around campus safety. A 2022 survey by the National Campus Safety Coalition found that 25% of college students are worried about their safety on campus, a figure that has risen in recent years. Experts urge schools to prioritize mental health resources and preventive measures to avoid panic in such situations.

In the age of social media, reactions to events like this can spread rapidly. Many students took to platforms like Twitter, sharing their experiences and feelings of confusion during the alert. These reactions often reflect a young generation grappling with fears about safety in educational spaces.

For more on campus safety measures, you can read about best practices from the U.S. Department of Education.

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