A MAGA representative received sharp criticism on Sunday evening after she shared unconfirmed rumors about an active shooter on the University of South Carolina campus.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is running for South Carolina governor, amplified claims on X that there was an active shooter at the USC library. She also shared a since-deleted photo of the shooter and a few identifying characteristics. The person Mace accused of being the shooter was later discovered to be carrying an umbrella, not a gun, on campus.
"Please be safe and we are praying for safety for our students and the safety of law enforcement as they take swift action to apprehend this individual," Mace wrote from her official X account.
Later in the evening, she posted that the event was "confusing" for all involved. She also posted a thank you note to local law enforcement who responded to the school.
"Real, or a hoax, or a mistake, now would be an appropriate time to talk about hardened security at schools of all grades, colleges and universities," Mace wrote. "This was a terrifying experience for students on campus and their families."
Several people responded to Mace's claims on social media.
"South Carolina police say there is no shooter on the campus of USC," Travis Akers, a retired Navy intelligence officer who lives in South Carolina, wrote on X. "The image shared by @NancyMace was obtained from X, and was of a student carrying an umbrella. The image was not released by law enforcement or an official authority, and could have resulted in him being killed."
"She deleted it but my God how irresponsible can Nancy Mace be?" Tyler Jones, CEO of Charleston Edge Collective, posted on X.
"@NancyMace posted videos of this kid casually walking through campus with his umbrella saying he was a shooter at the University of South Carolina during their active shooter scare earlier that turned out to be a false alarm….kid should sue her a--!" Wu-Tang is for the Children posted on X.
"Now would be an appropriate time to talk about how to appropriately punish you for this false post that could have gotten someone killed," Fred Guttenberg, who's daughter was killed in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, posted on X. "As the father of Jaime, killed in the Parkland shooting, everything about you and your messaging is the problem. Seek help as I firmly believe you are in need."
See the post by clicking here.
She deleted it but my God how irresponsible can Nancy Mace be? pic.twitter.com/KfpaJyWAuG
— Tyler Jones (@TylerMJones) August 24, 2025