Campus Alert Archive
AAMU

Stairwell Shootout: Alabama A&M Officer Exchanges Gunfire with Armed Student Inside Knight Complex

ALshootingemergency notificationhigh confidence
Confirmed Threat

On March 18, 2024, a campus police officer at Alabama A&M University exchanged gunfire with an armed student in a stairwell of the Ernest L. Knight Complex after the officer heard gunshots during routine patrol. The student was struck by multiple rounds and hospitalized, while the officer was unharmed. A campus alert was issued shortly after 2:00 PM CST directing the community to remain clear of the Knight Complex.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
1
Institution
Alabama A&M University
Hbcu · AL
~6,200 studentsBulldog Alerts
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTPush
Verified verbatimRocket City Now reporting quoting the AAMU campus alert verbatim214 chars
CAMPUS ALERT: The University is aware of a developing public safety emergency near the Knight Center. Out of extreme precaution, all individuals are asked to remain clear of the Knight Complex until further notice.
Rocket City Now reproduced this alert text verbatim shortly after AAMU issued it via push notification
Sent shortly after 2:00 PM CST on March 18, 2024, within minutes of the 1:50 PM shooting in a Knight Complex stairwell
The alert deliberately uses the phrase 'developing public safety emergency' rather than explicitly stating a shooting had occurred
An accompanying line clarified: 'There is believed to be no threat to the University at this time.'
ALL CLEARPush
Approximate reconstruction170 chars
AAMU UPDATE: The Knight Complex has been cleared. One individual has been transported to the hospital. There is no ongoing threat to campus. Normal operations may resume.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from news coverage; the scene was secured relatively quickly as the student was injured and could not flee
The university later released an official statement through President Daniel K. Wims
Context

Background

On the afternoon of March 18, 2024, an Alabama A&M University campus police officer was on routine patrol on the fifth floor of the Ernest L. Knight Complex when he heard gunshots from the floors below. The officer descended to investigate and encountered a student armed with a firearm in a stairwell. An exchange of gunfire followed, and the student was struck by multiple rounds. Campus police said the shooting occurred at approximately 1:50 PM CST. Social media video showed two students in a physical fight in the Knight Complex cafeteria shortly before the gunfire, and the altercation spilled outside where initial shots were fired. The injured student was transported to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services and later charged as Willie Brandon Nance with first-degree aggravated assault with a firearm. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) assumed control of the investigation. Students and parents raised concerns about campus safety in the days following the incident.
Analysis

Key Findings

The incident began as a fight between students in the cafeteria and escalated to gunfire in a stairwell, where a campus officer intervened
The campus alert described a 'developing public safety emergency' rather than explicitly mentioning a shooting
ALEA assumed the investigation as standard protocol for officer-involved shootings in Alabama
Outcome
The student, identified as Willie Brandon Nance, was charged with first-degree aggravated assault with a firearm after being treated at Huntsville Hospital. ALEA took over the investigation. No officers were injured.
Provenance

Sources

  1. Official
    Statement on Campus Shooting (Alabama A&M University official statement)
    aamu.edu
  2. News
    AAMU issues campus alert; Knight Center Complex being cleared (Rocket City Now)
    rocketcitynow.com
  3. News
    Shooting confirmed at campus of Alabama A&M, one student injured (WAFF 48)
    waff.com
  4. News
    Student injured in officer-involved shooting on Alabama A&M campus (ABC 33/40)
    abc3340.com
  5. News
    Alabama A&M students, parents raise concerns after campus shooting (WSFA)
    wsfa.com
Tags
officer-involved-shootinghbcualabamacafeteria-fightdormitory-complexstudent-violencealea-investigation
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion