Teen charged following deadly SC State shooting, lockdown lifted

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - SLED says they are investigating two separate shootings that took place on the South Carolina State University campus on Saturday night.

South Carolina State officials said the lockdown was lifted Monday morning. The university has implemented enhanced security measures at entrances, including vehicle checks and ID verifications, which may result in traffic delays.

Classes remain canceled for Monday.

The investigation comes after South Carolina State issued a lockdown on campus after reports of a shooting at Hugine Suites.

The homecoming concert scheduled for Saturday was also canceled as a result of the shooting.

Authorities confirmed that a woman was killed in one incident and a man was also injured in a separate incident. He was taken to the local hospital, according to SLED.

Law enforcement believes the shootings are not connected at this time.

Orangeburg County Coroner Sean Fogle identified the female victim as 19-year-old Jaliyah Butler from Saluda. The coroner said Butler was pronounced dead at MUSC Health Orangeburg, and also confirmed an autopsy is scheduled for later this week.

On Sunday, SLED announced the arrest of 18-year-old Matthew Daniel McCoy following the shootings. McCoy has been charged with Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person, and Carrying a Weapon on School Property.

According to arrest warrants released, he had a loaded Glock handgun in his vehicle, which was parked on the SCSU campus.

After seeing a fight between two groups, McCoy allegedly grabbed the gun from his vehicle and shot twice towards an unidentified male wearing a black and red hoodie.

There is no confirmation that McCoy was involved in either the shooting that took the life of Butler or the shooting that injured the male.

Students, visitors shaken up after shooting

Students across campus are still shaken, trying to make sense of how a homecoming celebration turned into a scene of chaos and loss.

“I was running for real. I was scared. I was really scared,” said Claflin University student Coryn Troupe.

Alana Mitchell, another Claflin University student, says she and her friend were trampled as everyone started running away, not knowing a shooting had just taken place.

“We were running. I got pushed down, she got pushed down. People were on my leg. We were down for some time. To know that it was something, it was actually scary because I couldn’t get up,” she said.

Makhii Fleming was visiting from out of town. He says he saw some fights break out before hearing the gunshots.

“It’s just heartbreaking because we came up for a good time, but the good time got shut down because there’s so much violence happening in the community these days,’ he said.

SC State student Jayden Ellis says as everyone reflects on the violence that ended homecoming early, he’s also thinking about the victim’s family.

“It’s just crazy. She came to visit, and now she can’t even go back home. I send my condolences to her family,” he said.

Trey Newton, a member of SC State’s Royal Homecoming Court, said that the shooting continues to weigh heavily on students a couple of days later.

“It still hurts to have such an event happen on our campus. Us Bulldogs over here believe in something called Bulldog tenacity, and we’re going to really use that as our motto for these next coming days, weeks, months, years—no matter what. We’re going to uphold that Bulldog tenacity because that’s what we believe in,” he said.

SC State announced that classes have been canceled on Monday as the school remains on lockdown. During the lockdown, the campus is accessible only to students, employees, and investigators while SLED investigates and the university assesses additional protocol.

Parents looking to check on their children at the school have been told to visit the Public Safety checkpoint at the Chestnut Street/Wilkerson Boulevard gate or call the department at 803-536-7188.

SC Leaders react

Senator Tim Scott released a statement on the shooting:

“My prayers are with the family and loved ones of the young woman who was killed, and for the full recovery of those injured at South Carolina State University.“

“Homecoming is meant to be a time of celebration and community. My heart goes out to the entire Bulldog community as they face this tragic news.“

“We are grateful to the law enforcement officers who responded swiftly to protect lives and who continue working diligently to bring answers and justice. In the face of such senseless violence, I remain committed to helping ensure that campuses are safe and secure learning environments for all.”

Congressman Jim Clyburn also responded to the fatal shooting in a press release, saying:

“I offer my sincere condolences and heartfelt empathies to the victims of the shootings that took place at South Carolina State University. As a “loyal son” and proud alumnus of SCSU, this incident is a horrific tragedy to many of us who celebrated homecoming this weekend.

“Homecoming is about students, their friends and families, none of whom should be subjected to such senseless acts. The epidemic of gun violence exacts far too high a toll on our communities – and we experienced it happening right here in South Carolina and Montgomery, Alabama this past weekend.

“None of the victims, or currently identified perpetrators, are South Carolina State students. But these shootings call into question “open carry” laws that make the lives of college administrators difficult and put the lives of innocents at risk.

“But we know something fundamental needs to change to protect South Carolinians from these kinds of tragedies. The scourge of violence must end, and it is incumbent upon all of us to do what is right to safeguard our communities.”

This is a developing story. WIS will have updates as more information becomes available.

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