Two dead, one injured in South Carolina State University shooting

Friday 13 - 13:00

By: Sahili Aya

Two dead, one injured in South Carolina State University shooting

Two people were killed and one injured Thursday night in a shooting on the campus of South Carolina State University, marking the third such incident at the institution since October. The university confirmed the event occurred in a student housing complex, Hugine Suites, and that campus lockdown procedures were immediately implemented.

The campus, located in Orangeburg, about 70 kilometers southeast of Columbia, is under investigation by the South Carolina Police Department. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of the victims or the condition of the injured individual, and no information is available regarding the possible escape of the shooter or shooters.

Background and response

In October, two unrelated shootings occurred on the same campus, resulting in one death and two injuries during university opening celebrations. Following those incidents, SCSU implemented heightened security measures, including controlled entry points for major events, increased camera surveillance, and enhanced emergency communication protocols.

The university announced that Friday classes are canceled and counseling services are available to students. Founded in 1896, SCSU enrolls more than 3,000 students.

The recent shooting is part of a broader pattern of gun violence in U.S. universities, including a December attack at Brown University in Rhode Island that left two dead and nine injured. In contrast, deadly school shootings are much rarer in countries like Canada, which saw a tragic event just two days prior with eight fatalities.

Gun rights remain highly contested in the U.S., with the Second Amendment guaranteeing the right to bear arms. Approximately one-third of Americans reported owning a firearm in 2023, according to a Pew Research Center survey.