ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has charged a man in connection with one of the two shootings that killed one and injured another at South Carolina State University Saturday night.

Matthew Daniel McCoy, 18, is charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person and carrying a weapon on school property.

South Carolina State University Department of Public Safety confirmed that their campus is on lockdown following two shootings Saturday night.

School officials said classes for Monday have been cancelled as the campus remains under lockdown. Parents who want to check on their students are asked to report to the Public Safety checkpoint at the Chestnut Street and Wilkinson Boulevard gate or call the department at 803-536-7188.

The reported gunshots came from Hugine Suites located on campus.

The affidavit stated that after an altercation erupted between two groups of people, McCoy allegedly retrieved his gun from his vehicle and shot it twice at a male victim.

SC State officials said two victims were taken to a local hospital. The first victim, Jaliyah Butler, 19, of Saluda, a female guest on campus, was pronounced dead at the MUSC Health Orangeburg, according to Coroner Sean Fogle.

The second victim, the male guest, was reportedly flown by helicopter to another hospital. His condition remains unknown.

A third guest on campus was also reportedly injured while running from the scene of the first shooting.

The University’s Department of Public Safety issued a lockdown for the campus immediately following the first shooting near the Hugine Suites student residential complex.

Officials say the shootings happened during the university’s annual Homecoming celebration several hours after the football game. It remains unclear which of the two shootings McCoy is being accused of, but investigators do not believe the shootings are connected.

The university’s Homecoming concert, which was scheduled for Saturday night, was canceled.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the young woman who lost her life and to all who have been affected,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate these senseless acts of violence. The safety and well-being of our students, employees, and guests remain our top priority.”

U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn also released the statement following the shootings:

“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.”

Officials urged Hugine residents not in the complex to report to the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center and anyone inside the residence hall to stay put. Students in other residence halls were urged to return to their rooms and off-campus residents are urged to leave campus.

Officials have asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate the incident.

McCoy was booked into the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

The investigation is ongoing. The campus remains secured on lockdown and is accessible only to students, employees and investigators.

Several SC State students react to the shootings

Several students described what they heard and saw on Saturday night’s shooting.

“I look back and we see everybody running,” student Xiyelle Wright said. “So like, knowing me, I ain’t about to just stay there while everybody running, so I just took off and then we were running. We heard a gunshot and we just kept running.”

Another student described seeing one of the victims who was killed during the incidents.

“It still is unreal, like we can’t even go outside and have fun without anybody shooting,” Lamonika Wright said. “I saw a girl on the ground. The paramedics were around her, yellow tape everywhere, trying to resuscitate her on top of her, getting her on a stretcher.”

One student is hoping for better security to make students feel more secure while on campus.

“I really didn’t feel safe until we got off campus,” student Shazar Robinson said. “Someone’s dead, you know. I hope to see better security to make the students feel safe.”

Counseling services available for students

SC State’s Counseling and Self-Development Center is providing counseling services for students.

The Counseling and Self-Development Center will be open for extended hours to support any students. Starting Sunday, trained clinicians will also be available until 6 p.m.

This support will be available through Tuesday. The campus is only accessible to students, employees and investigators as SLED continues to investigate.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

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