A woman was killed, and a man was injured in two separate shootings on the campus of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg on Saturday evening, October 4, 2025, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
The historically Black university imposed a campuswide lockdown after shots were reported at Hugine Suites, a student housing complex, and the school canceled its homecoming concert and all Sunday homecoming events while investigators worked the scene.
Officials said the injured man was hospitalized, and neither victim had been publicly identified as of early Sunday.
University alerts instructed Hugine Suites residents who were already inside to stay in place, students in other residence halls to return to their rooms, and off-campus residents to leave the campus. The school asked nonstudents not to come onto university grounds while law enforcement secured the area and collected evidence.
State investigators emphasized that the two shootings were not believed to be connected at this time, but said both cases remain active.
What authorities have confirmed so far
SLED said the first incident involved a woman who later died at a local hospital. In the second incident, a man was shot and flown by helicopter to another medical facility for treatment. Investigators did not release ages, hometowns, or whether the individuals were students or guests.
Early statements noted that shots were reported in the vicinity of Hugine Suites, a multistory residence hall near the center of campus, and that university police requested state assistance soon after the first 911 calls.
The agency asked anyone with photos, videos, or first-hand information to contact investigators. Detectives continued interviews overnight with students, staff, and visitors who remained on campus for homecoming weekend. Additional details, including potential suspect descriptions or a vehicle of interest, were not available in initial briefings.
Campus response and safety measures
The university’s emergency messages used familiar lockdown language that many colleges adopt after on-campus gunfire, directing students to shelter, secure doors, and wait for an all-clear. Security staff and local agencies established a perimeter around key residence halls and event venues while officers checked buildings and common areas.
Administrators said they would enhance patrols across residence halls and high-traffic zones as the investigation proceeds.
Homecoming events draw large crowds of alumni and guests, which complicates access control and investigative work. Officials urged patience as they balanced the need to process scenes with the desire of residents to retrieve personal items or vehicles.
The school said counseling services would be available for students and employees and that professors would communicate any changes to class schedules once the campus reopens fully.
