USC releases update on Sunday’s swatting hoax

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO)– After Sunday’s active shooter alert university officials have released information on the incident, say officials.

University officials say USCPD believe the active shooter alert issued last night was part of a swatting hoax.

On Sunday, August 24, campus police received two separate calls reporting an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library, around 6:30 p.m.

Campus police say both calls were initiated by an unknown male and included background noise that mimicked gunfire.

There is currently no evidence that the calls originated on campus.

Based on these calls, police were immediately dispatched to the scene and entered in an attempt to locate the alleged shooter.

A Carolina Alert message was sent to the campus community at 6:34 p.m. instructing them to shelter in place, according to university officials.

Buildings in the vicinity were locked and students were escorted to safety once no threat was detected.

The library remained closed Sunday while police completed their search of the building, but students were allowed in to retrieve their belongings.

The library reopened on Monday morning, August 25.

Two students received minor injuries as they exited the library and were taken to a local hospital for treatment and both have since been released.

Additionally, officials say a USC student carrying an umbrella that was caught on footage, and posted online after the initial Carolina Alert was issued had no role in the incident.

The investigation in conjunction with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is ongoing, according to campus officials.