HUNTSVILLE—
University of Alabama-Huntsville administrators, the Huntsville mayor and law enforcement officials held a news conference on Saturday morning to update the media on details associated with the deadly shooting on the UAHuntsville campus.UAHuntsville President Dr. David Williams thanked the community for the outpouring of support. He told members of the media that the school's focus is on the students and faculty in the aftermath of the deadly shooting.
The campus is providing grief counselors for anyone seeking help coping with the impact of Friday's shooting spree. He also said that members of faculty and staff who wish to come to work are encouraged to do so. But, those who do not feel they can work are not expected to do so.
Sunday Prayer Service on Campus
UAHuntsville officials also announced they would hold a prayer service at noon on Sunday. It wil be held at the UAHuntsville University Center and is open to the public.
The university also indicated that a memorial service is being planned for Friday, February 19. Specifc details will be announced at a later date.
Shooting Investigation
Chief Henry Reyes and Sgt. Mark Roberts of the Huntsville Polce Department spoke about the shooting investigation Saturday morning. They told reporters that investigators recovered the weapon they believe Amy Bishop Anderson used in the shooting spree around 9:15 p.m. Friday night. Roberts said they found a 9mm handgun in a second floor bathroom of the Shelby Center.
Roberts said the investigation is a cooperative effort between the Huntsville Police Department and UAHuntsville's campus police. He said the initial call came into the consolidated 911 center around 3:57 p.m. Friday. The initial call came in as a shooting with multiple injuries. Roberts said first responders were on the scene by 4:00 p.m. and that they had the suspected shooter in custody minutes later.
Roberts also said that "there may never be a clear answer" to the question of motive in the shooting.
Roberts credited "extraordinary citizens" who helped save lives during the attack. He said "their actions should be commended." Huntsville police would not identify the names of the people who took steps to stop the shooting rampage.
Chief Reyes said that the professor's husband, Jim Anderson, has been questioned in the case. But, there are no charges currently against him.
Sgt. Roberts acknowledged that multiple shots were fired in the room where the biology faculty were meeting. He wasn't sure how many shots. But, he indicated that some of the rounds missed their intended targets.
Prosecuting the Case
Madison County District Attorney Rob Broussard was also at the news conference. He said that Amy Bishop Anderson is currently charged with one count of capital murder. But, he added the investigation is still in its early stages and that more charges are pending. He said the basis for the capital murder charge "is the intentional killing of 2 or more people during one course of conduct." He is also considering attempted murder charges. Broussard said the professor would likely have a preliminary hearing within 6 weeks to 2 months.
He acknowledged that the media and public want answers to questions. But, he "urged everyone to keep in mind that we don't try cases in the media. We try them in the court of law." He said more details would be revealed as the case unfolds.
Broussard said he didn't know yet if anyone else would be charged in connection with the shooting. He said, "If there's complicity on another's part, then they too will be charged."
UAHuntsville's Response to the Crisis
Reporters asked UAHuntsville Police Chief Chuck Gailes about the university's "alert system" and students' complaints that they were not informed about the shooting within minutes of the crisis. Chief Gailes defended the campus police department's actions, claiming "it was a rapidly evolving situation." He said, "Officers were assessing what was going on and had a suspect in custody very quickly." He said his officers "eliminated the threat" quickly. He insisted that the "fact that alert did not go out immediately did not impact safety of people" in the building or on campus.
Chief Gailes later said that with any event like this they will go back and look at how they handled it to see if things could be done bettter and see if things needed improvement.
UAHuntsville administrators said they may hold more news briefings over the weekend. But, did not immediately set a date or time for another update.
Stay tuned to WHNT NEWS 19 and WHNT.COM for the latest on this developing story. We have several reporters working on the story today and will have team coverage on our newscasts Saturday night.
