On the evening of February 12, 2026, tragedy struck the campus of South Carolina State University (SC State) in Orangeburg, South Carolina, as a shooting inside the Hugine Suites student residential complex left two people dead and another injured. The incident, which unfolded at approximately 9:15 p.m., has shaken the university community and reignited concerns over campus safety at one of the state’s most historic institutions.
The university, South Carolina’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU), immediately issued a campus-wide lockdown following the first reports of gunfire. According to a statement from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), "The incident happened inside a room in the Hugine Suites housing complex. Three men were shot. One man died at the scene, and the other man died at the hospital." The condition of the third man, who was also injured in the shooting, remains unknown as of Friday afternoon.
The lockdown, which began around 9:15 p.m. Thursday, was not lifted until about 5 a.m. the following morning. During those tense hours, law enforcement officers from several agencies—including SC State’s Department of Public Safety, the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, and the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office—patrolled both the campus and nearby areas. SLED agents have taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, but as of Friday, officials had not released the names of the victims or provided updates on any suspects or motives.
In a news release, university officials emphasized their commitment to student safety and support. Classes were canceled for Friday, February 13, and counselors were made available to students in need of assistance. A statement posted to the university’s Facebook page read, "Friday classes have been canceled. Counselors are available to students." The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the identities of the men who lost their lives. Law enforcement is urging anyone with information about the case to contact SLED by email or phone, as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
The shock and confusion of the night were palpable among students and staff. Kaya Mack, who had just finished making a food delivery on campus when the shooting occurred, described the chaos to CBS affiliate WLTX-TV: "Their loud sirens kind of shook me. We were looking around, me and other people on campus, we're all looking around like 'What's going on?'" The sudden eruption of violence left many in the SC State community reeling and searching for answers.
This latest shooting comes just over four months after two separate shootings during homecoming celebrations on October 4, 2025, one of which also occurred near the Hugine Suites complex and claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman. Another man was injured during those incidents, and several individuals were arrested on gun-related charges in the aftermath. The October shootings had already prompted heightened security measures and a renewed focus on campus safety, but Thursday’s tragedy has underscored the continued vulnerability faced by students and staff.
The violence at SC State is part of a troubling national trend of gun-related incidents on college campuses. In December 2025, a mass shooting at Brown University left two students dead and nine others wounded, drawing national attention to the issue of campus safety and the prevalence of firearms in educational settings. The frequency of such incidents has led many universities, including SC State, to reexamine their security protocols and support systems for students.
SC State, founded in 1896, is not only the state’s only public HBCU but also holds the distinction of being South Carolina’s only Research 2 (R2) university, as classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The R2 status recognizes institutions with "high research activity," a designation SC State has earned by spending at least $5 million on research and awarding more than 20 research doctorates annually. With over 2,900 current students and a network of more than 30,000 active alumni, the university plays a vital role in the region’s educational and cultural landscape.
Despite its proud history and academic achievements, the university now finds itself grappling with the aftermath of another senseless act of violence. Many in the SC State community are calling for increased security and a renewed commitment to addressing the root causes of campus violence. The administration has responded by providing mental health resources and encouraging students to seek support as they process the trauma of the event.
Law enforcement officials have remained tight-lipped about the details of the shooting, declining to speculate about motives or potential suspects. SLED has asked anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in solving the case. As of Friday afternoon, no arrests had been made, and the investigation remains in its early stages.
The university’s swift response in locking down the campus and mobilizing support services has been praised by some observers, but others have expressed frustration at the lack of immediate answers. The campus community remains on edge, with many students and faculty members grappling with feelings of fear and uncertainty. The cancellation of Friday’s classes and the availability of counselors are intended to give the university time to heal and regroup, but the scars left by the violence will not soon fade.
As the investigation continues, SC State’s leadership has pledged to keep the community informed and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and visitors. The university’s unique status as South Carolina’s only public HBCU and a hub of research and innovation only heightens the sense of loss and urgency surrounding Thursday’s events.
For now, the campus of South Carolina State University is quiet, its students and faculty left to mourn the loss of two members of their community and to hope for the recovery of the third. The events of February 12, 2026, will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on the university’s history, serving as a somber reminder of the challenges facing college campuses across the nation.
As law enforcement works to piece together the circumstances of the shooting, the SC State community is left to support one another and to look for ways to prevent such tragedies in the future. The story is still developing, and university officials have promised to provide updates as more information becomes available.
In the wake of this tragedy, the resilience and solidarity of the SC State community will be tested, but many hope it will also serve as a catalyst for meaningful change and renewed efforts to ensure the safety of all students.