DEVELOPING –  A suspect reportedly took hostages at a credit union on the campus of the University of Alabama Tuesday, sparking a tense standoff with armed police and a SWAT team.

The situation began about 8:30 a.m. at Alabama Credit Union at 220 Paul W Bryant Drive and re mains active. A campus-wide alert has been sent ordering everyone in the area to stay away.

Hostage negotiators are on the scene at the Alabama Credit Union, not far from the university’s law school in Tuscaloosa, the FBI told Fox 6. It was not clear exactly how many hostages were inside the building.

“Local law enforcement and UAPD have responded to a robbery/hostage situation at the Alabama Credit Union located at 220 Bryant Dr. (1 of 2)”

Details on what sparked the apparent hostage-taking were unclear. “It didn’t come in as a robbery,” police Lt. Teena Richardson told Al.com. “We don’t know what the issue is.”

Tuscaloosa police Lt. Teena Richardson said a gunman entered the building and took the employees inside hostage. “It didn’t come in as a robbery,” Richardson said. “We don’t know what the issue is.”

A SWAT team is on site,  some with guns drawn, and has surrounded the building, according to witnesses. A helicopter is hovering over the scene.

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. The FBI is also on the scene, and has hostage negotiators assisting.

Police have not yet spoken with the suspect, but are trying to establish contact with him. It isn’t known how many employees are inside, but the bank was not open when the situation began.

#BREAKING: New pictures coming in from the scene of hostage situation at Alabama Credit Union in Tuscaloosa. pic.twitter.com/tw4a20QxpF

— WBRC FOX6 News (@WBRCnews) January 10, 2017

We’ll keep you updated as more details emerge.

God Bless. 

Here’s How To Be Sure To Continue Seeing Our Content On Facebook

TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

Dean James III% AMERICA’S FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Please like and share on Facebook and Twitter!