COLUMBIA, S.C. — University of South Carolina police (USCPD) say an active shooter alert issued on campus Sunday evening was the result of a swatting hoax.

USCPD said dispatchers received two separate calls around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, both from an unknown male, reporting a shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library. The calls included background noise meant to mimic gunfire, but investigators say there is no evidence the calls originated on campus.

Police immediately responded, entering the library and requesting mutual aid from Columbia Police, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, SLED, the FBI, ATF, Columbia Fire, and EMS. A Carolina Alert message went out at 6:34 p.m., instructing students to shelter in place. Nearby buildings were locked, and students were escorted to safety as offi

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