The security and well-being of our students and employees is one of our highest priorities. In emergency situations, UA will provide accurate, timely information to key stakeholders so they can make the most informed decisions possible regarding their personal safety and well-being.
Early this morning, University police received reports of shots fired in close proximity to the campus. Because of the potential ongoing threat to the campus and surrounding community, which is home to many students and employees, UA deployed UA Alerts, our emergency notification alert system. When officers confirmed that both suspects were in custody and the firearms had been recovered, UA used the same system to notify students and employees that the threat of danger had passed.
The UA Alerts system has been in place since 2008. The system is tested the first Wednesday of every month, so that students and employees clearly understand how the University will communicate with them in emergency and crisis situations. Since students and employees are on our campus 24X7X365 and the system is unable to determine who’s currently on campus or where individuals are in relation to the situation, UA Alerts is activated for all persons who are currently enrolled and employed when there is a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or employees.
A description of the incident follows.
On April 19, 2012, at approximately 2:10 am, Tuscaloosa Police and University Police responded to the 1200 block of University Blvd. on a report of a fight and shots fired. A 20 year old male was injured during the physical altercation and was transported to DCH with non-life threatening injuries. No weapons were involved in the fight.
During the altercation, two males who were not involved in the fight pulled handguns and fired in the air, allegedly to disperse the crowd. The two males were apprehended by University Police officers, and both firearms were recovered.
Another victim, a 31 year old male, was found lying unconscious on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of University Blvd. He has severe head injuries. It is unknown at this time if he was injured in the altercation, but his injuries were not the result of weapons being discharged.
The two males who discharged the firearms have been charged with Reckless Endangerment.
Contact
University Relations, 205/348-5320