Coastal Carolina Shooting: University president mourns loss of sophomore Anthony Liddell, gunned down near campus

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Anthony Liddell in an undated personal photo

/ Facebook

(CBS/AP) CONWAY, S.C. - The president of Coastal Carolina University, the South Carolina school where a sophomore student died Tuesday after a shooting near campus, released a statement Wednesday mourning the loss of Anthony Liddell as police continued to search for the student's killer.

Pictures: S.C. student fatally shot near campus

Liddell, 19, died after the shooting around 7:20 p.m. Tuesday at a residence hall near the campus of Coastal Carolina University, spokeswoman Martha Hunn said. He was taken to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach where he died.

According to the university's website, CCU President David DeCenzo expressed his condolences, saying, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Anthony Liddell. Tragedies such as these anywhere in our society are senseless. Precious loss of life at such an early age affects us all. Our primary goal is to ensure the safety and security of our students. We will continue to do all that we can with all the resources necessary to make sure that our students are safe and secure. We only pray that an event like this never happens on our campus or any college campus again."

The State Law Enforcement Division was leading the investigation and the search for the shooter on Wednesday.

The school issued an alert using email and text messages around 8 p.m. Tuesday and residence halls were locked down overnight. But there was no apparent threat to students, faculty or staff on campus, Coastal Department of Public Safety Police Chief David Roper said.

Classes were to be held as planned Wednesday, the school said in a statement. CCU Counseling Services professionals and ministers were to be on hand to provide assistance to students.

Coastal Carolina University has an enrollment of more than 9,000 students. The liberal arts school was founded in 1954. According to the school's website, University Place houses where the shooting occurred houses nearly 2,000 students.

More on Crimesider
February 25, 2013 - Jamie Neal, Garret Hand Missing: Calif. couple vanishes during Peruvian bike tour