(Columbia) - The Richland County Sheriff's Department is investigating a shooting near Columbia Place Mall that may have involved senior tailback Cory Boyd and other Gamecock football players.
No charges have been filed in the case, and no arrests have been made.
Deputies responded to 201 Columbia Mall Boulevard Suite 169 around 12:45 Sunday morning, to hundreds of people running from the scene and shots being fired.
The owner of the building, Patricia Thompson, rented out the building for a large Omega Psi Phi fraternity party.
Investigators say the incident began when some gang members had a confrontation with USC football players. Deputies say according to witnesses, a man identified as Cory Boyd fired a gun into the air. Investigators say the gang members retaliated, and fired shots at the players. Deputies say people began running away and "total chaos erupted."
No one was hit by the bullets.
Investigators say they found marijuana residue, tobacco shavings and the odor of burnt marijuana. They say there also was a broken window at the scene.
USC head football coach Steve Spurrier briefly spoke to reporters late Monday.
"You all need to ask somebody who was there, not me, I wasn't there," says Spurrier. "Players always tell you they didn't do it and then later I found out one of our guys told me he didn't and he did. I'm not commenting anymore. You ask the investigators."
Boyd was suspended for the 2005 season due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
....this sort of thing seems to plague USC football way too much....
You are right, though, Tootsie...this sort of stupid mistake ruins futures. 
