Two Dead, One Injured in South Carolina State University Shooting at Student Housing Complex

Two people were killed and at least one other injured Thursday night in a shooting at South Carolina State University's Hugine Suites student residential complex, prompting a campus-wide lockdown that remained in effect early Friday morning as state investigators worked to determine what led to the deadly violence at the historically Black university.

Campus on Lockdown Following 9:15 PM Report

South Carolina State University issued a campus lockdown at approximately 9:15 p.m. Thursday following reports of a shooting in an apartment at the Hugine Suites student residential complex on the Orangeburg campus, according to a university statement.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the state's primary investigative law enforcement agency, took over the investigation. As of 1 a.m. Friday, the campus remained on lockdown while investigators processed the crime scene and interviewed potential witnesses.

The identities of the two deceased victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Information about the injured person's condition and whether they are students at the university also has not been disclosed.

Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies Respond

South Carolina State University's Department of Public Safety received assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies in securing the campus and conducting the investigation. The Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office dispatched officers to patrol on and around the campus throughout the night.

The multi-agency response reflects standard protocol for major incidents at educational institutions, where local, county, and state resources typically coordinate to ensure campus security while investigators work to determine what occurred.

Friday Classes Canceled, Counseling Available

In response to the shooting, South Carolina State University canceled all Friday classes, allowing students, faculty, and staff time to process the tragedy while giving investigators access to conduct their work without disrupting normal campus operations.

The university announced that counselors are available for students who need support in processing the violence that has shaken the campus community. Mental health support following campus violence is considered critical for helping community members cope with trauma and fear.

About Hugine Suites

Hugine Suites is a student residential complex on South Carolina State University's campus in Orangeburg, providing apartment-style housing for students. Like many modern campus housing facilities, these complexes offer students more independence than traditional dormitory settings, with apartment configurations that typically include bedrooms, living areas, and kitchens.

The shooting occurred inside one of these apartments, though investigators have not released details about how the shooter gained access to the building or the specific circumstances that led to the violence.

About South Carolina State University

South Carolina State University, located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is a historically Black university founded in 1896. The institution enrolls approximately 2,500 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines including business, education, engineering, and the sciences.

As an HBCU (Historically Black College and University), South Carolina State has played a significant role in providing educational opportunities and fostering leadership within the African American community for more than 125 years. The university has a proud tradition of academic excellence, community service, and producing graduates who contribute meaningfully to society.

Orangeburg, located in the central part of South Carolina approximately 75 miles southeast of Columbia, is home to two HBCUs: South Carolina State University and Claflin University.

Context: Violence at HBCUs

The shooting at South Carolina State represents another tragic incident of campus violence at an HBCU. Historically Black colleges and universities have faced particular challenges related to campus security, sometimes operating with fewer resources than predominantly white institutions despite serving communities that may face higher rates of violence in surrounding areas.

In recent years, several HBCUs have experienced shooting incidents, bomb threats, and other security concerns that have raised questions about the resources available to protect students at these institutions. Federal authorities have investigated patterns of threats against HBCUs, including a wave of bomb threats in 2022 that targeted multiple historically Black institutions.

These security challenges occur against a backdrop of chronic underfunding at many HBCUs compared to other public universities, making it more difficult to implement comprehensive security measures including surveillance systems, additional security personnel, and emergency response infrastructure.

Campus Housing Security Challenges

The shooting at Hugine Suites highlights ongoing challenges universities face in securing residential facilities while maintaining environments where students can live and study comfortably. Modern campus housing complexes often feature keycard or code access systems designed to prevent unauthorized entry, but these systems can be circumvented if residents allow visitors to enter or if security protocols are not consistently followed.

Many universities have struggled to balance security concerns with students' desire for independence and privacy. Overly restrictive security measures can create prison-like environments that interfere with the residential college experience, while insufficient security can leave students vulnerable.

Campus housing security typically includes measures such as locked exterior doors requiring keycard access, security cameras in common areas, resident assistants living in buildings to monitor activity, and regular security patrols. However, once someone gains access to a building, preventing violence inside individual apartments or rooms becomes significantly more challenging.

Investigation Ongoing

As of early Friday morning, investigators had not released information about:

- Whether a suspect has been identified or is in custody
- The relationship between the shooter and victims
- The motive for the shooting
- Whether the incident involved current South Carolina State students
- How the shooter gained access to the building
- Whether weapons have been recovered

SLED, South Carolina's premier investigative agency, typically handles major crimes including homicides, public corruption, and other serious offenses. The agency's involvement suggests the investigation will be thorough and professional, though complex cases can take weeks or months to fully resolve.

Community Response and Reactions

News of the shooting spread quickly through social media, with students, alumni, and community members expressing shock and grief. South Carolina State University alumni networks activated to check on current students and offer support, while local community leaders and elected officials issued statements expressing condolences and calling for answers about what led to the violence.

The shooting occurred during the spring semester when students are typically focused on coursework and campus activities, making the sudden violence particularly jarring for a community not expecting tragedy.

National Context: Campus Shootings in 2026

The South Carolina State University shooting comes amid ongoing concerns about campus safety at colleges and universities nationwide. Earlier this academic year, Brown University experienced a devastating shooting that killed two students and injured nine others, while other institutions have faced various security incidents ranging from threats to actual violence.

These incidents have prompted renewed discussions about campus security measures, mental health resources, gun violence prevention, and the challenges universities face in protecting students while maintaining open, welcoming academic environments.

According to education safety organizations, campus shootings remain relatively rare compared to the total number of colleges and universities operating in the United States, but each incident profoundly impacts the affected community and raises questions about whether more can be done to prevent violence.

Federal Attention to HBCU Security

The Biden administration and subsequently the Trump administration have both expressed concern about security threats facing HBCUs. In 2022, following a series of bomb threats targeting multiple historically Black institutions, the FBI and Department of Justice launched investigations and worked with affected schools to enhance security measures.

Congress has appropriated additional funding for HBCU security improvements in recent years, though advocates argue that more sustained investment is needed to bring security infrastructure at historically Black institutions up to par with other universities.

The Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education includes programs specifically designed to support HBCUs, including infrastructure grants that can be used for security enhancements. However, competition for these funds remains intense, and many HBCUs continue operating with security budgets below what safety experts recommend.

Previous Security Incidents at South Carolina State

While South Carolina State University has not experienced major violence on the scale of Thursday's shooting in recent years, like all universities it has dealt with various campus security incidents including assaults, thefts, and other crimes that occur in any community of thousands of young adults.

The university's Department of Public Safety maintains statistics on campus crime as required by the Clery Act, federal legislation mandating that all institutions receiving federal funding disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. These statistics provide transparency about campus safety while helping prospective students and their families make informed decisions.

Student Housing Violence: A Nationwide Concern

Shootings in student housing facilities, while still relatively uncommon, have occurred at various colleges and universities in recent years, typically involving disputes between individuals who know each other rather than random violence. These incidents often stem from arguments that escalate, domestic violence situations, or conflicts related to drugs or alcohol.

Campus police and student affairs professionals emphasize the importance of students reporting concerning behavior, threats, or dangerous situations before they escalate to violence. Many institutions operate anonymous tip lines and behavioral intervention teams designed to identify and help students in crisis before situations become dangerous.

The Aftermath: Supporting a Grieving Campus

In the days and weeks ahead, South Carolina State University will face the challenging task of helping its community heal while investigators work to determine what led to Thursday's violence. This process typically involves:

**Immediate Crisis Response:** Providing counseling services, creating spaces for community gathering and mourning, and ensuring students feel safe returning to campus activities.

**Investigation Cooperation:** Working with law enforcement to support the investigation while protecting student privacy and maintaining normal operations as much as possible.

**Communication:** Keeping students, faculty, staff, and families informed about developments in the investigation and steps being taken to enhance security.

**Long-term Support:** Recognizing that trauma from campus violence can affect community members for months or years, requiring sustained mental health resources and support systems.

**Security Review:** Examining existing security measures to identify potential improvements without creating an oppressive environment that undermines the residential college experience.

Questions for Campus Leaders

As details emerge about Thursday's shooting, South Carolina State University administrators will likely face questions from students, parents, and the broader community about:

- What security measures were in place at Hugine Suites and whether they functioned properly
- Whether any warning signs preceded the violence
- What changes might be implemented to enhance security
- How the university will support students traumatized by the incident
- Whether the shooting involved students or outsiders
- What resources are available to prevent similar incidents

University leaders typically balance transparency with the need to protect the investigation and respect victims' privacy, making public communication during such crises particularly challenging.

The Broader Issue: Gun Violence and Young Adults

Thursday's shooting also reflects broader societal challenges around gun violence affecting young adults. College-age individuals experience elevated rates of violence compared to other age groups, with factors including developing judgment, risk-taking behavior, substance use, and conflicts typical of young adulthood sometimes combining with access to firearms to produce deadly outcomes.

Public health experts emphasize that preventing campus gun violence requires comprehensive approaches addressing mental health, conflict resolution, substance abuse prevention, and reducing unauthorized firearms on campus.

Developing Story

As this remains a developing story with an active investigation, additional information will likely emerge in coming days about the circumstances of the shooting, the identities of those involved, and what led to the violence that claimed two lives and injured at least one other person.

The University Herald will continue monitoring this story and update readers as significant new information becomes available from law enforcement and university officials.

Resources for Those Affected

For South Carolina State University students affected by Thursday's violence:

**Campus Counseling:** Contact the university's counseling center for mental health support and trauma counseling.

**Crisis Support:** National crisis support is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

**Campus Safety:** If you have information relevant to the investigation or feel unsafe, contact the South Carolina State University Department of Public Safety or SLED's tip line.

**Community Support:** Alumni associations, student organizations, and community groups often provide additional support during campus crises.