The celebration of the University of Alabama’s annual A-Day festivities took an unexpected turn Saturday night when Tuscaloosa police abruptly shut down The Strip, a popular entertainment district near campus.
The closure occurred around 9 p.m., shortly after reports surfaced of what some believed to be gunfire in the area.
According to Tuscaloosa Police Department spokesperson Stephanie Taylor, several officers were already stationed nearby and responded immediately to the scene. After a thorough sweep of the area, officers found no evidence that shots had been fired and confirmed that no one was injured.
The University of Alabama’s ShotSpotter system — technology used to detect and pinpoint gunfire — did not register any incidents during the reported noise. Despite the lack of evidence, Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley made the call to shut down The Strip out of an abundance of caution.
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Anyone not already inside a business or actively leaving the area was required to vacate. The decision was made to ensure public safety and prevent potential panic from escalating.
The incident occurred shortly after the conclusion of several A-Day events, including the Tide Pride breakfast at Coleman Coliseum and the Walk of Fame ceremony at Denny Chimes, which drew large crowds to the city. Authorities confirmed that aside from the false alarm, the day’s events had proceeded safely and without major issues.
While the shutdown prompted confusion among visitors and students, officials emphasized that it was a precautionary move made in the interest of public safety. The Strip was later reopened once the area was deemed secure.
