Investigators believe Thursday's shooting at the Public Health Research Center was an isolated murder-suicide.
South Carolina Law Enforcement spokesman Thom Berry said there was never an active shooter situation on campus, and it appeared to be a "very isolated situation." Berry was unsure of the situation's exact times.
Park, Assembly and College streets remain closed, as does the Public Health building.
It was "inside of a room inside the building" earlier this afternoon. Berry is unsure of exact time of incident #uscshooting
— Hannah Jeffrey (@hannahjeffrey34) February 5, 2015
Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said the deceased will not be identified before tonight or tomorrow.
By South Carolina law, SLED takes over any investigation concerning a death on a college campus. USCPD initially responded, assisted by the Columbia Police Department.
SHOOTING AT NEW SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. Remain indoors. Obey officials. http://t.co/fWJdCbdExJ
— Carolina Alert (@CarolinaAlert) February 5, 2015
As of 2:15 p.m., there was no longer an existing threat on campus, according to another Carolina Alert. People were urged to avoid the area and removed from the sidewalks surrounding the building.
The remainder of classes at the Public Health Research Center and Discovery Building, along with all other public health classes, were canceled Thursday, according to a USC release. All other classes continued as scheduled for the day.
Thom Chandler, dean of the School of Public Health, said in an email that the evacuation from the building was "orderly" and "rapid."
"Indeed this is a tragic day in our history," USC President Pastides said in a statement Thursday afternoon.