19-Year-Old Arrested on Attempted Murder Charge After South Carolina State University Shooting
A 19-year-old student has been accused of attempted murder and weapon possession in connection with a shooting in an academic building at South Carolina State University (SC State). The teen, Rolando J. Ifill Jr., allegedly fired shots during a physical altercation with another student without causing any severe injuries.
Police Respond to Gunfire Incident
The campus police were alerted to the scene when a loud popping sound was reported from the second floor of Hodge Hall on Tuesday approximately at 11:45 a.m. Rolando J. Ifill Jr. and the other student were reportedly in a physical fight when Ifill pointed a 9mm handgun towards the victim and fired shots, causing the victim to flee.
The shooting resulted in broken glass from an exit door between Hodge and Davis Halls. The victim reported an injury to the feet due to the shattered glass on the floor, which the emergency medical services (EMS) team verified. There was no immediate, significant injury sustained from the gunshots, according to a spokesperson for the university.
Arrest and Charges
Rolando J. Ifill Jr., a native of Charleston, was promptly arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to Sam Watson, the SC State spokesperson. He was taken without incident to the Orangeburg County Detention Center.
During the bond hearing on Wednesday, Ifill was granted a $50,000 surety bond under the condition that he would not set foot on the SC State campus unless escorted by a law enforcement officer, as per the reports.
Ongoing Investigation
Following the shooting incident, an investigation is being conducted by the campus police and local law enforcement. There is little information available about the cause of the altercation between Ifill and the other student, aside from that it ended in gunfire.
In a statement, University officials assured that their priority is the safety of students, staff, and faculty. Amidst the ongoing investigation, extra security measures are being implemented until further notice.
The university is also providing counseling services to students traumatized by the incident.
Attempts to contact Ifill or his legal representative for comments were unsuccessful.
Public Reactions
The SC State fraternity and the general public have reacted with shock and expressed concern over the incident. There have been numerous calls on social media for stricter gun control measures on campuses nationwide. Some students and staff members also expressed fears about the possible recurrence of such incidents, stressing the need for better mechanisms to resolve conflicts in schools.
Details of Ifill’s next court appearance were not immediately available and this story will be updated as the investigation progresses.
