University of South Carolina issues update on alert after reports of active shooter on Columbia campus; check here

Moments after the students at the University of South Carolina received an alert on Sunday (August 24, 2025) about a possible active shooter near a library on the main campus in Columbia, school officials issued an update saying that it was all clear and there was no evidence of any shooter in the area. “Urgent Carolina Alert: ALL CLEAR. There is no ongoing emergency at this time. The Thomas Cooper Library building remains closed…,” Carolina Alert read.



In an update on the original Carolina Alert, the University of South Carolina stated that there was no evidence of a shooting on the campus. Despite no evidence, search operations continued, and students were advised to shelter in place. There were also no immediate reports of any shots being fired.


“At approximately 6:30 this evening, USCPD received a credible report of an active shooter 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. At that this time they have uncovered no evidence that a shooting occurred,” the update read.

“The shelter in place order has been rescinded but the library remains closed.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 update the campus as more information becomes available,” it further stated.


The school sent the original alert shortly after 6:45 PM, ordering students to evacuate the area near the Thomas Cooper Library, seek shelter, and barricade themselves if necessary.

According to the alert issued, the suspect was a white male, approximately 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, wearing black pants. “Defend yourself if you encounter the suspect,” the alert stated, as quoted by news agency AP. “Obey public safety officials’ commands,” the alert further stated.

The alert did not confirm that a shooting occurred. It was followed by another alert saying there was no evidence of an active shooter “at this time. Police are searching affected buildings. Please continue to shelter in place until there is an all clear.” Approximately 38,000 students attend the school in the heart of the city that's home to nearly 145,000 people.