It was a somber and tense atmosphere at South Carolina State University as shots rang out on campus, bringing all activities to a halt for four days. The incident took place on the night of February 12, resulting in the tragic deaths of two young men and an injured individual. This senseless violence even caused the cancellation of a highly anticipated basketball game against Morgan State University on Valentine's Day.
It was around 9:15 p.m. when the peaceful evening at the Hugine Suites complex, a residential area for students, was shattered by the sound of gunfire. The campus immediately went into lockdown, and students were instructed to take shelter as law enforcement and local authorities worked to secure the area. HBCU Gameday reported that the university issued an urgent alert, urging students to stay put until the situation was under control.
The following day, on February 13, the authorities identified the two victims as 19-year-old Henry L. Crittington and 18-year-old Terrell Thomas. It was later revealed that neither of them were enrolled as students at South Carolina State University. The injured person, who is a current student, is receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
In light of this tragedy, the university made the difficult decision to cancel all classes and activities to give the campus community time to mourn and process the heartbreaking events that unfolded. President Alexander Conyers assured everyone that the safety of students is the university's top priority. In addition, counseling services are being offered to students and staff who may need support during this difficult time.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the campus has been rocked by gun violence this school year. In October 2025, during Homecoming festivities, another shooting occurred in the same area, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler and an injured individual. The university is still reeling from that tragic event, and now they are faced with yet another senseless act of violence.
Despite the somber mood on campus, there is a glimmer of hope as the women's basketball game against Morgan State has been rescheduled for February 16 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The men's team will also be playing against Coppin State at 4:30 p.m. EST on the same day, creating a new doubleheader. The men's game against Morgan State has been moved to February 25, with details about the specific tip-off time to be announced at a later date.
The entire community at South Carolina State University is mourning the loss of these young lives and coming together to support one another during this difficult time. It's a tragic reminder of the senseless gun violence that plagues our society, and it's a call to action for change to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the entire South Carolina State University community.
