Authorities said panic spread through a large Memorial Day weekend event, sending people running and leaving multiple victims hospitalized.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A crowd surge during a Memorial Day weekend gathering in South Carolina injured at least 19 people late Saturday after panic swept through attendees, prompting a large emergency response and an ongoing investigation into what caused the chaos.
Authorities said the incident unfolded during a crowded holiday event attended by hundreds of people when sudden panic triggered a stampede-like rush through the area. Emergency crews responded within minutes and began treating injured attendees at the scene before transporting several victims to nearby hospitals. Officials said injuries ranged from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones and trauma related to people being knocked to the ground during the surge.
Law enforcement officials said early witness accounts suggested some attendees believed gunfire had erupted nearby, causing people to run in multiple directions. Investigators later said they had not confirmed reports of shots fired and were still reviewing video footage and witness statements to determine exactly what triggered the panic. Officers secured the scene while paramedics moved through the crowd assisting victims, many of whom were separated from friends and family members during the confusion.
Witnesses described scenes of fear and disorder as people pushed toward exits and open areas in an attempt to escape. Some attendees told local television stations they heard screaming before seeing large sections of the crowd suddenly surge forward. Others said shoes, phones and bags were left scattered across the ground as people stumbled or fell. Emergency dispatch recordings reportedly captured frantic calls from witnesses trying to locate injured relatives and friends.
Hospitals in the area received multiple patients throughout the night, though authorities said no fatalities had been reported as of Sunday morning. Officials did not immediately release the ages or identities of those injured. Emergency responders established temporary medical treatment zones near the event site while investigators worked to document the scene and identify the sequence of events leading to the crowd movement.
Large Memorial Day weekend events across the Southeast often draw substantial crowds, with concerts, parties and public gatherings increasing traffic in entertainment districts and outdoor venues. Crowd-management experts have long warned that panic in densely packed areas can escalate rapidly, even without a confirmed threat, when rumors or sudden loud noises spread through large groups of people. Officials in South Carolina said crowd-control measures and event security procedures would likely become part of the ongoing review.
Authorities said detectives were interviewing organizers, vendors, security staff and attendees while collecting cellphone videos that may help establish a clearer timeline. Investigators also planned to examine whether overcrowding, limited exits or other logistical issues contributed to the injuries. Police maintained a visible presence around the area Sunday as cleanup crews removed barriers and debris left behind after the overnight chaos.
Some victims returned to the area Sunday morning searching for missing belongings and reconnecting with relatives separated during the panic. One attendee told reporters she lost sight of several family members for nearly 20 minutes while trying to escape the crowd. Another witness said the atmosphere changed instantly from celebration to fear as people began screaming and running simultaneously.
Officials said the investigation remains active and emphasized that information about the cause of the panic could change as additional evidence is reviewed. Authorities urged witnesses to share photos and videos with investigators while hospitals continued monitoring several injured patients recovering from the incident.
As of Sunday afternoon, authorities had not announced arrests or confirmed what initially triggered the crowd surge. Investigators said additional updates would be released after witness interviews and evidence reviews are completed.
Author note: Last updated May 24, 2026.