Three People Killed, Three Wounded In Shooting At UAHuntsville

Three people were killed Friday at UAHuntsville, and three others were wounded in a shooting that happened just before 4pm. The shooting happened inside the Shelby Center.

Of the three people rushed to Huntsville Hospital, two are in critical condition and one is stabilized, according to Huntsville Hospital Spokesperson Burr Ingram.

Multiple sources confirm the shooting happened during a UAHuntsville Biology Department faculty meeting. We have learned the suspect, Dr. Amy Bishop-Anderson, was denied tenure this morning and then went to the faculty meeting and allegedly opened fire. Dr. Bishop-Anderson is in custody.

UAHuntsville Spokesperson Ray Garner said five of the people shot were faculty members, and the sixth is a staff member. That staff member was wounded.

The faculty members who were killed are Dr. Maria Ragland Davis, Dr. Gopi Podila and Dr. Adriel Johnson, Dr. The three who were wounded are Dr. Joseph Leahy, Dr. Luis Cruz-Vera and Stephanie Monticciolo.

The shooting was called in to police at 4:00pm. Police arrived on campus by 4:01pm, and residence halls were secured by 4:10pm, according to Garner. The building was secured by 4:45pm, and cleared after 5:30pm, Garner said.

Several students left the Shelby Center building and looked very shaken up. The entire campus was on lockdown for a period of time on Friday while police searched the area.

Friday evening's classes were canceled. At a media briefing at 9 p.m., UAHuntsville administrators announced the campus would be closed from February 15-19. All classes and activities have been canceled during that time. Employees may report to work, if needed.

Counselors are available in the University Center, in rooms 125, 126 and 127 for anyone who wishes to speak with someone.

Students who were inside the Shelby Center at the time of the shooting are giving statements to police about what they saw, and will be released afterward.

Several students and staff have reported to WHNT NEWS 19 they did not receive alerts from UAHuntsville's alert system. Garner said he does not have information at this time about why the alerts were not sent out until approximately 5:00pm.

If you have questions about any students who may have been in the building during the time of the shooting, call (256) 824-7777.

Student groups, including Campus Crusade for Christ, arranged a prayer vigil Friday evening. It was held inside Frank Franz Hall around 10 p.m.

UAHuntsville administration told the media Friday evening there would be another briefing on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. UAHuntsville President Dr. David Williams will be joined by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Huntsville Police officials to discuss the latest information about the shooting and the response to the tragedy.

WHNT NEWS 19 will carry the briefing live on WHNT, WHNT2 and on WHNT.com.

The briefing will take place at Madison Hall on the campus of UAHuntsville.

Stay tuned to WHNT NEWS 19 for continuing coverage on this developing story.