Coroner identifies two teens killed in South Carolina State University shooting
The two people killed in a shooting at South Carolina State University were identified by a coroner Friday afternoon.
A shooting at the Hugine Suites student residential complex on campus left two dead Thursday night around 9 p.m. A third person was injured.
Henry L. Crittington, 19, of Orangeburg was pronounced dead on scene. Terrell Thomas, 18, of Norway was transported to MUSC Health Orangeburg. He died of his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Both died of apparent gunshot wounds, Orangeburg County Coroner Sean Fogle said. Autopsies will be performed next week.
“Our prayers go out to the SCSU family, Orangeburg County community and more importantly, the families and friends of the individuals whose lives were lost during this event,” Fogle said in a statement.
SC State was put on lockdown around 9:15 p.m. Thursday following the shooting. The lockdown was lifted Friday morning around 5 a.m., but Friday classes remained canceled.
The university’s Department of Public Safety was assisted by the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office while patrolling campus.
Orangeburg police said the shooting was believed to be an isolated incident.
“We are saddened by the loss of two lives and the injury of another individual. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire university community during this painful time,” Chief Charles Austin Sr. said in a statement. “Moments like these are difficult for any community. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and doing everything in our power to ensure the continued safety and well-being of Orangeburg.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting.
This is not the first major shooting at SC State this academic year. One person was killed and two others were injured following multiple incidents over the university’s homecoming weekend in October.
