Student shot, killed at CCU dorm; suspect on the loose - WBTW-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Florence, SC
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Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler confirms that CCU sophomore Anthony Darnell Liddell, 18, autopsy was completed before 9 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Fowler said Liddell died from a gunshot wound to the chest after doctors could not stop the bleeding. Liddell was pronounced dead at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center's Emergency Room at 8:50 Tuesday night.
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Lidell was a Coastal Carolina University sophomore student from Bennettsville. Coastal Carolina University officials said a shooting took place at the University Place residence hall Tuesday evening.
CCU Department of Public Safety Police Chief David Roper has determined that currently there is no apparent threat to students, faculty or staff.
Therefore, classes were held on Wednesday as regularly scheduled.
A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday at Spadoni Park for Liddell, a sophomore from Bennettsville. The event is open to the community.
The University's Office of Counseling Services is organizing the vigil, along with offering ongoing counseling services for students affected by the tragedy.
CCU President David DeCenzo will make remarks at the vigil, along with Debbie Conner, vice president for student affairs.
An open microphone will be available for students to share memories. Preston McKever-Floyd, professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, will give a closing prayer.
Martha Hunn, director of news and public affairs for the school said the shooting happened at 7:22.
A CCU Alert text sent to student said:
CCU Alert SUBJ:Active Shooter MSG:shooting Incident at University Place. All students stay in your dorm rooms and classrooms. Suspect at large.
CCU Alert SUBJ:CCU ALERT MSG:The shooting is not ongoing Police continue to search for one suspect. Stay indoors
Hunn said a call to 911 happened after the shooting and that a nearby emergency call box was also pulled.
Students who live near the crime scene heard the gunfire.
"I just saw someone laying on the ground it was just really scary, I've never seen anything like that," Katrina Schuleski said.
Some students heard the early reports and thought it may have just been a misunderstanding.
"On my way to the gym a bunch of kids guys at my dorm said someone had been shot and I thought people say crazy stuff like that all the time there's no way it's true," James Paigo said.
But it quickly became clear that gun violence had struck on the campus, something people are not used to here.
"It's certainly far from the norm but we are very prepared for incidents of emergency we have protocols in place," Hunn said.
Even as the lockdown remained in place - some students were shaken up but didn't feel like Coastal was an unsafe school.
"I do feel safe at Coastal it's definitely a good school, security is everywhere but they can't catch everything," Paigo said.
Residence Halls remain under lockdown for the remainder of the night. S.C. Law Enforcement Division is conducting the investigation, assisted by CCU Public Safety. Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to contact CCU Dept. of Public Safety at 843-349-2177.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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