COLUMBIA, S.C. — The victims in Thursday’s murder-suicide at the University of South Carolina were previously married, officials said.
The shooting happened about 1 p.m. Thursday as students were changing classes. Even as police cars with sirens blaring rushed to the new School of Public Health and the university sent out an alert that everyone should stay inside, people were walking around the sprawling campus.
A PIO for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said it was an isolated incident that happened inside a room of the school of public health and appeared to be a murder-suicide.
One victim in the incident was 45-year-old professor Raja Fayad, according to the Richland County coroner, who said Fayad died from multiple gunshots to the upper chest.
Sunghee Kwon was identified as the second victim, according to the coroner’s office.
She died at the scene from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Fayad was shot and killed by Kwon who then shot herself.
Fayad and Kwon were married until a few years ago, officials said. They had continued in a relationship after their divorce, including sharing a home, until recently.
The shooting occurred in an office adjacent to a small laboratory. Fayad and the suspect were the only two people in the office at the time.
A 9 mm handgun was recovered from the scene. There was no suicide note.
[ PHOTOS: Shooting reported at University of South Carolina ]
Savannah Ivill was on the first floor when the shooting happened.
She said Fayad was shot on the fourth floor.
“He obviously worked in my building and was a professor for my major,” Ivill said.
There was still an active investigation 4 p.m. Thursday around campus. Officials said the school of public health and three buildings close by, including a music building, a business and another building, were placed on lockdown.
Officials with SLED said there was never an active shooter on campus. The incident was contained to one room in the school of public health.
The school issued two alerts on the shooting via its emergency system and Twitter on Thursday. The alerts said people should seek safe shelter and remain indoors.
I'm in @WSOCChopper9 over #uofsc pic.twitter.com/9LNqnDwyyX
— James (@jamesWSOC9) CHOPPER 9 flies over scene at USC after murder-suicide
At 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Carolina Alert sent a messaging stating “There is no longer an existing threat on campus.” The school of public health and streets near there remained closed.
[ RAW VIDEO: SLED says shooting at USC 'isolated incident' ]
Information on the individuals involved has not been released.
Harris Pastides, the University of South Carolina President, released this statement:
“Today, the USC family experienced a great tragedy. Sadly, a shooting in one of our buildings has left two dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide. The thoughts and prayers of our entire community are with the families of the deceased tonight.
The University of South Carolina Police Department responded to the shots immediately and, within moments, our community was alerted. I want to thank USCPD for their professionalism and quick response. The building was quickly secured and we were able to give an all clear for the campus.
Thank you also to our students, faculty and staff for their cooperation and fast action. We know the grieving period will be long and our counseling center is available to anyone who may need assistance.
Thank you to our community and law enforcement partners in the ongoing investigation. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is the lead investigative agency along with the Richland County coroner.
Indeed this is a tragic day in our history. Patricia and I, along with the Board of Trustees, offer our condolences to the families and friends of the deceased."
Student Hayden Dunn, a senior from Myrtle Beach, said he was in the building about 1 p.m., getting in an elevator to change classes, when a police officer also got inside. Dunn said the officer asked whether anyone had heard gunshots, but they hadn't. Dunn said he went to class, then an alarm sounded minutes later, and people rushed outside. Another officer told him shots had been fired, he said.
"Otherwise, you wouldn't have known anything happened," Dunn said.
Workers and others fled the building after police told them to evacuate and they went inside other buildings wherever they could, said Barbara Reager, an administrative assistant who works nearby.
"They had no time to get their keys, to pick up their purses," Reager said by phone.
Channel 9 reporter Greg Suskin was in Columbia, South Carolina gathering more information. Check back for updates to this developing story.
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