COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — South Carolina Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Alan Wilson is responding after recent false alarms and hoaxes at schools and college campuses in South Carolina.
He issued the following Monday afternoon:
While the report of an active shooter is a real concern that should be taken seriously, it’s equally important to recognize there’s been a nationwide trend of false threats designed to spread panic. We stand with law enforcement in investigating and holding those responsible fully accountable. Last night, I was immediately on the phone with law enforcement, university officials, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
To parents, students, and everyone in our community: your fears are valid. Until proven safe, we must take every threat seriously. We also need to work together to stop these reckless hoaxes that endanger our schools and communities, while following law enforcement’s updates to prevent the spread of misinformation and more panic.
On Sunday evening, The University of South Carolina Police Department received two calls about an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library, made by an unknown man with background noise that sounded like gunfire, officials said.