NORMAL, Ala. – An Alabama A&M student was hospitalized Monday afternoon after exchanging gunfire with a campus police officer at Knight Complex West.
Campus Police Chief Montrez Payton said an officer was conducting a routine security check of the residence hall’s fifth floor when he heard shots fired below him, reports WAFF. The officer then went to investigate where the shots came from and then made contact with the student in the south stairwell. The student had a gun, and the two exchanged gunfire. Multiple shots were fired.
The student was injured during the shoot out and taken to Huntsville Hospital for treatment, reports WVTM13.
According to a statement released by Alabama A&M, the situation was contained “within minutes.” The statement also praised the campus police department and university staff members for their response to the school shooting: “Our campus police and University staff are to be commended for their efforts to quickly respond to the threat, ensure student safety and provide updates.”
Immediately after the shooting, everyone on campus was urged to stay away from the Knight Complex, reports AL.com. However, the school shooting was later determined to be an isolated incident.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has taken over the investigation of the case.
Last August, two men shot at each other following an argument over food outside Alabama A&M’s residence hall. Both received minor injuries from the exchange of gunfire, and both were arrested.
