The Incident Unfolds at Hugine Suites

On the evening of February 12, 2026, the campus of South Carolina State University (SC State) in Orangeburg, South Carolina, was thrust into chaos when gunfire erupted in an apartment within the Hugine Suites student residential complex. This Historically Black College and University (HBCU), founded in 1896 as the state's only public institution dedicated to educating African American students, saw two individuals killed and one wounded in what authorities described as a targeted shooting. The incident prompted an immediate campus-wide lockdown at approximately 9:15 p.m., with police sirens echoing through the night as students barricaded themselves in dorms and classrooms.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took charge of the investigation, assisted by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office. Details emerged slowly: the shooting occurred inside a student apartment, suggesting it may have stemmed from a personal dispute rather than a random mass attack. By early Friday morning, February 13, the lockdown was lifted around 5 a.m., but the emotional toll lingered. University officials confirmed all Friday classes were canceled, and counseling services were swiftly activated to support the roughly 2,800 to 3,000 students on campus.

Immediate University Response and Student Support

SC State President Alexander Conyers and campus leadership moved quickly to reassure the community. Through social media posts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, the university communicated transparently about the lockdown and investigation. "We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our Bulldog family," read one statement. Counselors were stationed across residence halls, and virtual sessions were offered for remote support, recognizing the trauma of such events.

This response builds on lessons from prior incidents. After October 2025 homecoming shootings near the same complex—which claimed the life of 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler and injured others—SC State enhanced protocols. New measures included expanded surveillance cameras, controlled entry points for events, and improved emergency alert systems via text and app notifications. These steps underscore a proactive stance amid rising concerns over campus violence.

Investigation Progress and Community Calls for Answers

As of February 13, 2026, SLED had not released victim identities, suspect descriptions, or motives, respecting family notifications and ongoing forensics. The wounded individual was transported to a local hospital, but their condition remains undisclosed. No arrests have been announced, though investigators canvassed the area and reviewed footage from nearby cameras.

The Orangeburg community, tightly knit around its HBCU anchor, rallied in vigil. Local leaders, including Senator Tim Scott, expressed solidarity on social media, monitoring developments. Students shared stories of fear—hiding under beds, group chats buzzing with updates—highlighting the human side of these statistics.

Pattern of Violence: SC State's Challenging Year

This tragedy marks the second deadly incident at SC State in the 2025-2026 academic year. On October 4, 2025, during homecoming festivities, two separate shootings occurred: one near Hugine Suites killing Jaliyah Butler, and another injuring a man. Teens were later charged, including Matthew McCoy, 18, and others, with a $10,000 reward aiding investigations. These events led to class cancellations, heightened security for subsequent games, and anonymous donations exceeding $500,000 for scholarships and safety.

SC State's history includes the 1968 Orangeburg Massacre, where state troopers killed three Black students protesting segregation. Today's violence evokes that legacy, prompting reflections on progress and persistent risks in HBCU environments.

Gun Violence Trends in U.S. Higher Education

Campus shootings have surged, with the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) logging over 340 school-related incidents by early 2026, including SC State's on February 12 (incident #3411318). From 2013, Everytown Research tracked gunfire on school grounds hundreds of times annually, with colleges facing unique vulnerabilities due to open access and dense populations.

BestColleges reports 17 mass college shootings (3+ fatalities) historically. Factors include accessible guns, interpersonal conflicts spilling onto campus, and mental health strains post-pandemic.

HBCUs Under Siege: Unique Vulnerabilities

HBCUs like SC State face disproportionate threats. In 2025, Inside Higher Ed noted ramped-up security after bomb threats and shootings at multiple campuses. ACLED data from 2022 showed 72 threats against HBCUs; trends persist amid racial tensions. Open-campus designs—welcoming communities—aid recruitment but complicate security.

• Increased bomb/shooting threats: 20+ HBCUs affected in 2025
• Funding gaps: HBCUs receive less state support, limiting tech upgrades
• Community ties: Proximity to high-crime areas heightens spillover risks

RAND's 2025 report on higher ed safety urges integrated threat assessments.

Effective Campus Safety Measures in Practice

U.S. universities employ layered strategies per Clery Act (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act), mandating annual reports. SC State's post-2025 upgrades exemplify:

• Physical barriers: Bollards, gated entries
• Tech integration: AI cameras, blue-light phones
• Training: Active shooter drills, Run-Hide-Fight protocol
• Partnerships: Local PD embeds, mental health hotlines

For administrators eyeing roles in safety, higher ed administration jobs offer paths to implement these.

Mental Health and Long-Term Student Impacts

Survivors face PTSD, anxiety spikes; a USC study links school violence to enrollment drops. SC State's counselors address this via Title IX-compliant support. Faculty play key roles, trained in trauma-informed teaching. Resources like academic career advice now include resilience-building for educators.

Policy Debates and Funding Imperatives

Federal grants via the STOP School Violence Act fund prevention, but HBCUs seek more. States like South Carolina debate gun-free zones vs. armed guards. Experts advocate de-escalation training and community policing. Explore higher ed jobs in policy for change-makers.

Outlook: Building Safer Campuses Forward

SC State vows resilience, eyeing legislative advocacy at its February 18, 2026, State House event. Broader higher ed must prioritize equity, tech, and mental health. Parents and students can rate experiences at Rate My Professor, while job seekers find security-focused roles at University Jobs and Higher Ed Jobs. Post a position at Post a Job to bolster teams.

For career guidance amid uncertainties, visit Higher Ed Career Advice.

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash