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Gunfire erupted late on Thursday evening at an apartment complex on the campus of South Carolina State University, killing two people and injuring a third, university officials confirmed, prompting a full lockdown of the historically Black institution.
The shooting occurred at the Hugine Suites student residence shortly after 9:15 pm local time, the university said in a statement. Immediate reports from authorities indicated that multiple shots were fired in the complex, but details about how the incident unfolded remain limited as law enforcement continues its investigation.
In a message posted on social media Friday, the university said: “University officials have not yet confirmed the victims’ identities or the condition of the wounded person.” The post also reiterated that the campus remained under lockdown and that students and staff were asked to remain in place while authorities secured the scene and gathered information.
Officials did not say whether a suspect had been detained or if there was an ongoing threat, nor have they provided a motive for the shooting. However, they did confirm that local law enforcement agencies were assisting the university “in patrolling on and around the campus,” signalling a broad response involving multiple authorities.
South Carolina State University, with about 3,000 students, was already facing heightened safety concerns. The college experienced two shootings on its campus in October, including one at the same student housing complex that resulted in one death and one injury.
In light of the latest violence, the university announced that Friday classes would be cancelled as the community processes the tragedy and officials assess next steps.
The incident comes amid a broader context of gun violence in the United States, where firearms are widely accessible, and shootings on campuses and in public spaces have become distressingly frequent.
