The University of South Carolina issued an ‘all clear’ following a reported active shooter scare on its Columbia campus on Sunday evening. Campus officials confirmed that no shooting took place, and there was no ongoing emergency. Students and staff were initially ordered to shelter in, with the Thomas Cooper Library remaining closed as a precaution.
The alert was issued just after 6:30 p.m. ET, prompting concern among students and faculty. Video circulating online showed a person walking toward a campus building while carrying an object that appeared to be a long rifle. Scott Prill, Deputy Chief of Police for the University of South Carolina, clarified that the object was an umbrella, thereby dispelling the initial fear. The ‘all clear’ was given after 8 p.m. on Sunday, after an investigation confirmed there was no threat.
This incident is not unique. Similar false alarms occurred at Villanova University and Emory University, where students and staff were placed on lockdown despite the absence of any real threat. Villanova President Peter Donohue described the incident as a ‘cruel hoax’ and emphasized that there was no active shooter, no injuries, and no evidence of firearms on campus. These repeated false alerts have prompted concern over the potential for panic and the need for improved public safety measures to prevent such incidents.
The frequency of such reports raises questions about their impact on campus security and student well-being. While the university is taking steps to ensure clarity and prevent future misunderstandings, the psychological toll on students and staff is a growing concern. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and are reviewing protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.