Update: Hostage situation in Alabama ends with suspect in custody
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A person suspected of taking hostage employees of a credit union Tuesday morning has been detained by police, reports CBS affiliate WIAT.
Steve Swafford, CEO of the Alabama Credit Union, told the station that all employees were safe.
Police had blocked off roads and positioned dozens of officers and federal agents around the Tuscaloosa branch of the credit union, where the suspect had allegedly taken hostages.
Tuscaloosa Police Lt. Teena Richardson told CBS News that the armed suspect entered the branch at around 8:30 a.m., before the opening of business. It is believed that the suspect had planned to rob the credit union.
An unknown number of employees were inside the credit union at the time, Richardson said. No customers were inside the business.
The branch is near the University of Alabama campus. The school tweeted Tuesday morning that its officers were involved in the standoff.
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