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Gunman holding hostages at Alabama bank Hostage situation at Alabama bank resolved, gunman in custody
(35 minutes later)
What seemed like a bank robbery at the Alabama Credit Union in Tuscaloosa turned into a hostage situation, with one suspect barricaded inside the building near the University of Alabama campus. The gunman was attempting a bank robbery and took hostages when a quick response by the authorities blocked his escape, Tuscaloosa PD Chief Steven Anderson told reporters.
A gunman entered the building and took the employees inside hostage, Lieutenant Teena Richardson of the Tuscaloosa PD told AL.com. “We were able to take him down without any injuries to the suspect or the hostages,” Anderson said.
“Today was genuinely a joint effort that enabled us to have a successful resolution to this hostage situation,” Mayor Walter Maddox said.
Around 11:45am the situation was resolved and the suspect was in custody. Eight hostages that were inside have been released.
According to Lieutenant Teena Richardson of the Tuscaloosa PD, officers entered the building and apprehended the gunman peacefully.
Nearby businesses are being evacuated and the area is closed off to the public. The FBI hostage negotiator has yet to establish contact with the gunman, Tuscaloosa PD has said.Nearby businesses are being evacuated and the area is closed off to the public. The FBI hostage negotiator has yet to establish contact with the gunman, Tuscaloosa PD has said.
"It didn't come in as a robbery,'' Richardson said. "We don't know what the issue is." All credit union employees are safe, Alabama Credit Union CEO Steve Swofford told WBRC .
All credit union employees are safe, Alabama Credit Union CEO Steve Swofford told WBRC.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the University of Alabama Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are working the scene jointly, Richardson said.The Tuscaloosa Police Department, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the University of Alabama Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency are working the scene jointly, Richardson said.
Though nothing is known about the gunman, that has not stopped the social media from speculating that Alabama’s loss to Clemson in the national college football championships on Monday might somehow be involved.
Most of the University of Alabama students are not back on campus yet, having gone to Florida for the championship game. The law school is reportedly in session.