A Deadly Night at South Carolina State: 1 Killed, 1 Injured — Here’s What We Know

Photo Credit:WRDW

Orangeburg, S.C. — October 5, 2025 - South Carolina State University (SCSU) imposed a campus-wide lockdown Saturday night after two separate shootings left one woman dead and one man injured, authorities confirmed, disrupting homecoming festivities for the historically Black university's 3,000 students.The incidents, deemed unrelated by investigators, occurred amid crowds gathered for events including the annual homecoming parade, tailgates, and a football game against Bethune-Cookman University.

The fatal shooting took place around 9 p.m. near Hugine Suites, a residential hall on the 160-acre campus in Orangeburg, about 75 miles southeast of Columbia. Orangeburg County Coroner Sean Fogle identified the victim as 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler of Columbia, who was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.Butler, a non-student visitor attending homecoming activities, was not believed to be the intended target, according to preliminary reports.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a second shooting unfolded near the student union, where a man in his early 20s sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his lower body. He was transported to Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg for treatment and listed in stable condition Sunday morning.Like Butler, the injured man was a guest, not affiliated with SCSU, officials said.

SCSU issued an active shooter alert at 9:45 p.m., directing students to shelter in place and avoid windows, with the lockdown lifted around 11:30 p.m. after sweeps confirmed no ongoing threat.The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is leading the probe, assisted by campus police and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. No suspects have been named, and authorities urged witnesses to come forward via a tip line at 1-888-CRIME-SC.

University President Alexander Conyers addressed the community in a 2 a.m. email, expressing "profound sorrow" and committing counseling services through the Office of Student Affairs. "Our homecoming is a time of joy and pride, but tonight's events remind us of the work ahead to ensure safety for all," Conyers wrote.

The shootings evoke SCSU's troubled history with gun violence, including a 2017 homecoming weekend incident that injured three and a 2021 altercation resulting in one death off-campus.Nationally, HBCUs have reported a 25% uptick in campus shootings since 2020, per the Everytown Research & Policy center, often tied to interpersonal disputes spilling into public events.

SCSU, founded in 1896 as the state's sole public college for Black students, draws over 20,000 visitors annually for homecoming, boosting the local economy by $10 million. This year's theme, "Bulldog Legacy: 129 Years Strong," included a step show and concert before the tragedy unfolded.

As classes resume Monday, campus security will be enhanced with additional patrols and bag checks at events. The SCSU community, known for its resilience—from the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre to modern advocacy—mourns while demanding action. "We celebrate our history, but we won't let violence rewrite it," said student body president Jasmine Hayes in a social media post. Investigations continue, with updates expected as details emerge.