A hostage situation at a credit union just off the campus of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa was came to an end midday Tuesday with the suspect in custody and the hostages all safe, The Washington Post reports.
Suspect in custody and hostages appear to be OK. Situation all clear but may take time for streets to reopen. Please continue to avoid area.
— The Univ. of Alabama (@UofAlabama) January 10, 2017
The crisis came just as students were beginning to move back in for the spring semester. Local news outlet WVUA streamed live from the scene where streets were closed off and anyone in the area was asked to stay inside while local police and the FBI worked to negotiate with the suspect. When these negotiations proved to be unproductive, a SWAT team entered the building.
In an announcement after the situation was resolved, Tuscaloosa police spokeswoman Lt. Teena Richardson said that there had been about eight hostages and that they were all “fine” after being held in the Alabama Credit Union building. At present, it is unclear what sparked the incident.
Classes begin at the university on Wednesday and should proceed normally. Still, it’s been a rough couple of days for UA, particularly after their surprising loss to Clemson University in the College Football Playoff championship game.