A shooting at a popular bar near the University of South Carolina is raising concerns about safety among students and prompting renewed scrutiny of the establishment’s history. 

Columbia police say officers responded to reports of gunshots at Jay’s Bar and Grill between 1 and 1:30 a.m. on Sunday in the Vista after a fight inside the bar led to shots being fired.  

“We found that one male and one female had been shot inside the club,” said Deputy Chief Melron Kelly with the Columbia Police Department. 

Police say the fact that a weapon made it inside the bar raises serious concerns about security. 

“That’s very, very problematic for us because that tells me that the security was not doing their job and they let someone in with a weapon,” Kelly said. 

For many University of South Carolina students, the incident adds to growing concerns about safety in an area just steps from campus. 

“It’s scary for students that like to go out a lot, and you think something’s safe until it’s not,” said USC student Catherine Campbell. 

While the shooting remains under investigation, police say this is not the first time they have responded to issues at the bar. 

“I can tell you that we’ve investigated Jay’s in the past for underage drinking, they’ve had their liquor license suspended, they’ve had other challenges there that we weren’t able to substantiate, but that’s not a place that I think needs to remain in business,” Kelly said. 

Students say the bar’s reputation is part of what makes the situation more concerning. 

“I feel like with Jay’s reputation, especially as a girl, with some of the past instances… that they’ve had a three strikes you’re out kind of thing,” Campbell said. 

The incident, combined with past concerns about safety and alcohol-related issues, is leaving some students more cautious when deciding where to go out. 

Police say the investigation is ongoing and that officers are reviewing surveillance footage to understand a timeline of the event.