University of South Carolina issues all-clear after shooter scare; Republican Rep Nancy Mace faces backlash for viral post

A wave of panic swept the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus on Sunday evening after unconfirmed reports suggested an active shooter at the Thomas Cooper Library. Within an hour, university officials clarified that there was no evidence of a gunman, issuing an all-clear that left students and faculty grappling with the chaos, and social media in full-blown scrutiny mode.

At the center of the controversy was South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace, whose viral post mistakenly identified a student as the alleged shooter.

Nancy Mace and the viral misstep

Mace, known for her active social media presence, shared an image on X purportedly showing the “alleged school shooter.” “Here is the alleged school shooter at USC - BOLO - white male, black shorts, grey tshirt, backpack,” she wrote before the post was removed.

The picture, however, showed a student simply carrying an umbrella.

The backlash was immediate. Social media users warned that sharing unverified information could endanger the individual and amplify campus panic. “Literally a dude strolling with an umbrella. Jesus…” wrote one X user. Another added, “Actually just an innocent guy carrying an umbrella…”Law enforcement echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the image was not released by any official authority and could have put the student in serious danger.

Campus chaos and the “umbrella guy”

The alert that triggered the scare was issued shortly after 6:45 pm local time, instructing students to evacuate, seek shelter, and barricade themselves if necessary. The initial warning described a suspect as a white male, six feet tall, in black pants, and included the stark directive: “Defend yourself if you encounter the suspect. Obey public safety officials’ commands.”University spokesperson Jeff Stensland later confirmed that law enforcement had swept the library floor by floor to ensure safety.

Two students sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, treated by EMS, and the Thomas Cooper Library remained closed for the rest of the evening.The scare appears to have been triggered by a circulating video claiming to show a man with a rifle, which on closer inspection, revealed a student holding nothing more than an umbrella, dressed in black shorts, a green shirt, white shoes, and a backpack. The clip quickly spread online, spawning memes and the now-infamous label of the “University of South Carolina Umbrella Guy.”

A pattern of campus scares

The incident follows similar false alerts across US campuses in recent days. Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga both faced lockdowns after unverified reports of shooters, later confirmed as hoaxes. Experts point out that heightened alertness and social media amplification make such false reports increasingly disruptive.

The fallout for Nancy Mace

While university officials focused on student safety, the social media fallout placed Mace in the crosshairs.

Her post, despite the intent to inform, exemplifies the dangers of spreading unverified information during emergencies. For public figures, the repercussions extend beyond digital backlash, they carry real-world consequences for innocent individuals mistakenly identified as threats.The episode underscores the fragility of campus security perception in the social media era. Alerts intended to protect can quickly spiral into misinformation, while public figures’ online reach amplifies stakes exponentially.

In Columbia, students return to classes with heightened awareness, law enforcement continues to assess protocols, and Nancy Mace faces scrutiny for a post that blurred the line between vigilance and rumor.The University of South Carolina, home to nearly 38,000 students, joins a growing list of institutions navigating the intersection of digital amplification, public safety, and the responsibilities of those with large platforms. Sunday’s scare, though ultimately false, serves as a stark reminder of the high cost of misinformation in moments of crisis.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.