A message from University of South Carolina leadership

August 26, 2025

Dear Gamecocks,

As information continues to come to light about the disturbing incident that occurred on our campus last Sunday, we want to reach out with an update and a message of thanks and concern for our entire community.

Foremost, we are grateful to the students, staff and faculty members who were in Thomas Cooper Library when the Carolina Alerts were issued, as well as those in the nearby vicinity. In a tense and frightening moment, you did exactly what was needed: You heeded the alerts and listened to the guidance of law enforcement on the scene. This is the best way to ensure everyone’s safety in an emergency, and we commend you for your thoughtful and responsible behavior.

We are also appreciative of the prompt and professional response from USC Law Enforcement and Safety (LES) officers and staff, as well as the multiple law enforcement agencies and first responders who assisted on Sunday. They prioritized the safety of our community members, and they provided the rapid and necessary presence to properly manage the situation as it unfolded.

Based on the latest information we have, LES believes the incident was part of a swatting hoax. Two phone calls to police by an unknown person prompted the alert. We have no evidence that the calls originated on our campus. We have also learned that similar events have occurred at multiple other college campuses in recent days. Federal and state law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation into who is responsible for the false reports that led to Sunday’s alerts, so that these individuals can be held accountable for their actions.

Two USC students sustained minor injuries as they evacuated Thomas Cooper Library. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment and have been released.

Regardless of whether there was a real threat to our campus on Sunday, USC students, parents, staff, faculty, and community members shared in the very real fear and confusion that inevitably comes with navigating through an emergency. Some individuals are continuing to struggle in the aftermath. We hope that those needing assistance are taking advantage of the resources available on campus through Student Health and Well-Being.

We also recognize that many of our students suffered interruptions to their studies on Sunday evening. The library was closed while police completed their search of the building; it reopened Monday morning. In the interim, some assignments could not be completed, and some deadlines were missed. Students who encountered difficulties should work cooperatively with their professors to resolve these issues and contact the Office of Student Advocacy if they need further assistance.

We want to acknowledge the frustration that came from not having immediate access to all the answers on Sunday evening. USC’s leaders worked diligently with our law enforcement partners to ascertain exactly what was happening on campus. It is essential to ensure that news we share with our community is the most accurate information we can confirm. Sacrificing accuracy for speed can create confusion and expose our community to greater risk.

Unfortunately, there was some false information – some of it initiated by members of our campus community – that spread rapidly across social media on Sunday. While this may have appeared to fill an information gap, its effect was to add confusion and alarm to an already difficult situation. Social media outlets offer a great opportunity to share information quickly, but they can also accelerate the spread of false rumors and lead to unnecessary panic and unintended damage. It is critical that each of us does our best to rely on facts and official information during emergencies, rather than amplifying harmful misinformation. Being part of online conversations should never include sharing baseless rumors or photos and videos that misrepresent the truth. Always think twice before spreading unsubstantiated information.

Moving forward, we can focus on some lessons from Sunday’s events:

• It is important that our students, faculty and staff are registered to receive Carolina Alerts on their phones, so that everyone is getting immediate news about urgent situations that affect our campus. We welcome your suggestions about how to improve the content of these alerts to ensure you receive the most helpful information from them.
• The next time you receive an alert, please be no less vigilant than you were on Sunday. Do not assume the next incident is a hoax. USC will issue alerts when we believe there is a credible risk that warrants your immediate attention. Always listen to the guidance of law enforcement and campus leaders in these situations. Your safety and the safety of your fellow Gamecocks depends on it.

We appreciate everyone who has worked cooperatively to respond to Sunday’s incident, especially our Student Government leaders who took the initiative to share reliable information and to guide their fellow students to available campus resources. With your help, we will have a great and safe Fall semester.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Amiridis, President

Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

J. Rex Tolliver, Vice President for Student Affairs and Academic Support