HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — One person was hospitalized Monday afternoon after an officer-involved shooting at the Alabama A&M campus, officials confirmed. Multiple shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting, which campus police said took place in a stairwell in the Ernest L. Knight Complex at about 1:50 p.m.
AAMU Police Chief Montrez Payton said an officer was on routine patrol on the fifth floor of the complex when he heard gunshots somewhere on the floors below him and went down to investigate.
There was an exchange of gunfire with "an individual," Payton said, who was hit by multiple rounds. That person has been taken to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services, according to Don Webster of HEMSI, but a broader description of their condition and the identity of the person was not immediately provided.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is leading an investigation into the shooting. Payton said there will be an increase of officers in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Alabama A&M University sent out an alert for people to stay clear of the Knight Complex during the height of the incident as a precautionary measure.
Shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, officials sent the following message out across social media:
CAMPUS ALERT: The University is aware of a developing public safety emergency near the Knight Center. Out of extreme precaution, all individuals are asked to remain clear of the Knight Complex until further notice.
At about 3:45 p.m., officials issued an update stating that the immediate threat had been contained.
"This incident once again brought stress and uncertainty to our campus community," the University said in a written statement issued after 6 p.m. "Today’s climate continues to present safety challenges to colleges and universities but, AAMU is committed to enhancing overall safety for students, faculty and staff."
Late Monday evening, ALEA confirmed that around 2:15 p.m. on Monday, an officer-involved shooting sparked an investigation at Alabama A&M University .Where campus police responded to an armed individual in a residence hall stairwell, leading to gunfire exchange between the student and officer. The student, injured in the incident, was taken to Huntsville Hospital, while the officer was unharmed. The investigation is still ongoing.
Counseling services are available to anyone affected by the incident by calling Student Affairs at 256-372-5233.