A chilling alert sent shockwaves across the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus on Sunday evening after reports emerged of an active shooter at the iconic Thomas Cooper Library. The institution made a public safety statement at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, alerting visitors, employees, and students to remain indoors while police searched the area for the suspect.
A Campus on Edge
The alert described the suspect as a 6-foot-tall white male dressed in black pants, last seen near the library premises.The institution made a public safety statement at approximately 6:40 p.m. local time, alerting visitors, employees, and students to remain indoors while police searched the area for the suspect.
For many, the Thomas Cooper Library, usually a hub of quiet study, suddenly became a symbol of fear. “One minute we were revising for finals, the next minute the alarms went off, and everyone started running,” a student wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Police Response and Lockdown Measures
University officials quickly coordinated with Columbia law enforcement agencies, urging everyone to remain indoors. SWAT teams and campus police units were spotted entering the area, while access routes around the library were sealed off. Officers with rifles were seen sweeping the building, floor by floor, as helicopters circled overhead.
The university’s emergency alert system, designed to address threats like severe weather, fires, or active shooters—was put to full use. Authorities stressed that the top priority was to ensure safety while attempting to confirm whether the suspect was still armed and dangerous.
The Silence on Shots Fired
Adding to the confusion, authorities have not confirmed whether gunfire actually occurred inside or near the library. Some students claimed to have heard “popping noises,” while others dismissed it as a false alarm amplified by fear. At a time when school shootings across the United States continue to be a troubling reality, the lack of fast clarification has only increased campus worries.
Growing Concern Over Campus Safety
The scare comes against a backdrop of heightened debates about gun violence in educational institutions. With recent incidents still fresh in public memory, every report of an active shooter sparks renewed scrutiny of campus security systems. Concerns about whether colleges are sufficiently equipped to avert catastrophes have been voiced by both parents and students.
Mental health support lines were also activated by USC, with officials acknowledging the emotional toll such incidents take even when no casualties occur.
As of now, the search for the suspect remains active.
Police have asked the public to report sightings right away and to avoid approaching anyone who fits the description. To track the suspect’s activities, investigators are also looking at CCTV footage taken inside the library and other surrounding facilities.
Authorities have promised a full briefing once the situation stabilizes, but for now, the campus remains on edge. Whether the night ends with relief or heartbreak depends on what unfolds in the coming hours.
