At least two people were killed and one was injured in a shooting at a residential complex of South Carolina State University, prompting authorities to impose a lockdown on the campus for nearly eight hours.
The university said that the shooting took place at a student residential facility in Orangeburg. The campus was placed under lockdown at around 9.15 pm after reports of gunfire. The restriction was lifted at about 5 am on Friday.
University officials have not confirmed the identities of the victims and the condition of the injured person has not yet been disclosed.
Investigators remained on site as law enforcement officers patrolled the campus and surrounding areas. The university said thatit has requested the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to lead the investigation into the shooting. Authorities have not yet provided details about a suspect or a possible motive.
Kaya Mack, who had just completed a food delivery on campus at the time of the incident, described the tense moments after hearing gunshots.
Speaking to WLTX-TV, she said, “Their loud sirens kind of shook me. We were looking around, me and other people on campus, we’re all looking around like ‘What’s going on?’”
In response to the incident, the university cancelled classes on Friday and said counselling services would be made available to students to help them cope with the tragedy.
Authorities continue to investigate the case as the campus community mourns the loss of two lives.
