SCSU Homecoming Weekend Marred by Violence
What began as a weekend of school spirit at South Carolina State University ended in tragedy after two separate shootings on campus left one young woman dead and another person injured during the school’s homecoming festivities. Authorities say the incidents, which prompted a campus-wide lockdown and the cancellation of remaining homecoming events, unfolded late Saturday night near student housing areas.
One Killed, One Wounded During Late-Night Incidents
Orangeburg County officials confirmed that 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler was fatally shot in one of the incidents. Another victim, a male student, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The shootings, while occurring within hours of each other, are being treated as separate events. Investigators have not linked the two episodes as related at this time.
Campus Lockdown and Arrest Made
The first shooting was reported near Hugine Suites, a student housing complex on campus, sending students scrambling for safety. Campus police quickly placed the university on lockdown while local law enforcement assisted in securing the area. A second incident was reported soon after in a different part of campus, heightening fear among students and visitors gathered for homecoming. Authorities later confirmed the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect on charges that include pointing and presenting a firearm and possession of a weapon on school property. As of Sunday, officials said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may follow pending the outcome of ballistic tests and witness statements.
Homecoming Festivities Interrupted
The shootings disrupted one of the most anticipated weekends of the year for the SCSU community. Alumni, families, and students had come together for parades, a football game, and celebratory events that highlight Bulldog pride and HBCU traditions. In a statement, university leaders expressed heartbreak over the violence and announced the immediate cancellation of all remaining homecoming events as well as the suspension of classes until further notice to allow students and staff to process the tragedy.
University Leaders and Law Enforcement Respond
University President Alexander Conyers called the loss of Butler “an unimaginable tragedy that cuts to the heart of the SCSU family” and pledged full cooperation with local authorities to bring those responsible to justice. Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) officers remain on campus collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. Officials have increased patrols to ensure safety for students still in residence halls.
A Community in Mourning and a Call for Peace
Faith leaders and alumni groups have scheduled vigils to honor Butler’s memory and to support the injured victim’s recovery. Student leaders are calling for unity and for more comprehensive campus safety initiatives to prevent future incidents. The tragedy has also sparked renewed conversations about gun violence and security challenges on college campuses across the state.
Separate from Montgomery Tragedy but Part of a Troubling Trend
The SCSU shootings are separate from the mass shooting that occurred the same weekend in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, which left two dead and more than a dozen wounded following the Tuskegee University vs. Morehouse College Classic. While the two incidents are unrelated, they have collectively rattled the HBCU community during a season that is typically dedicated to pride, tradition, and celebration.
As South Carolina State grieves the loss of Jaliyah Butler and prays for the recovery of the injured student, the university has urged anyone with information to come forward to aid law enforcement. HBCU Buzz will continue to follow updates as the investigation develops and as the SCSU family gathers to remember a life cut short and to reclaim the sense of safety that homecoming represents.