University of South Carolina: All clear issued after active shooter alert

We are hearing early reports of an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library on the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina. Social media accounts familiar with early reports advise to avoid the area and to evacuate, barricade, or defend oneself. Approximately 38,000 students attend the school.

UPDATE (8:00PM-EST)

We have received an update from local officials after more information was released.

Students at the University of South Carolina received an alert on Sunday about a possible active shooter near a library on the main campus in Columbia, but school officials soon said there was no evidence of an shooter but that a search continued and advised students to shelter in place. There were no immediate reports of any shots being fired.

University spokesman Jeff Stensland said in a statement that the original alert "was sent out of an abundance of caution" and that law enforcement was clearing the library building, going floor by floor, "again out of an abundance of caution, we're going through the library to make sure."

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