Deputies respond to shooting on elementary school property

ABC Columbia Staff,

The Latest:

Richland Co., S.C. (WOLO)– This afternoon Sheriff Leon Lott released updated information about the investigation into a shooting that happened on Monday, May 11, at a Midlands elementary school.

Sheriff Lott says Horrell Hill Elementary’s school resource officer Tonyika Hall was patrolling the area in her marked vehicle when she noticed a black truck was following her.

At that point, Sheriff Lott says she got out of her car and told the driver of the truck to leave.

When she got back in the car she saw the man had a gun and began shooting at the deputy.

Lott says rather than engage in a gunfight, Hall went into the school and initiated a lockdown.

When more deputies arrived, Lott says they found the suspect Cory Gibbons with a self inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

Lott says the actions of the school resource officer may have prevented a tragedy.

Sheriff Lott says Gibbons is still in the hospital.

Investigators say they do not know why he was at the school or shot at the deputy.

He is charged with attempted murder.

Original Story (Posted: May 11, 2026):

Richland Co., S.C. (WOLO)– Richland Co. deputies say they responded to a Midlands elementary school Monday afternoon.
Investigators say they responded to the grounds of Horrell Hill Elementary School in Hopkins around 1:15 p.m.
Deputies say a man was taken to the hospital after being struck by gunfire.
According to investigators, this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the school or neighboring community.
Parents are asked to coordinate student pickup with the school and the district.
Richland One district officials say students and staff are safe as no one at the school was injured.
School and district officials were notified that the shooting took place in the back parking lot of the school’s campus.
This is a developing situation, ABC Columbia will provide updates as they become available.
Click here for more from ABC Columbia.
Categories: Local News, News, Richland

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