A shooting on Wednesday forced the lockdown of City Hall and other municipal buildings near the University of Montana in downtown Missoula, according to reports.
Reports said shots were fired at a police car that was being driven by an officer at North Orange and West Broadway streets.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
There was also no early description of the suspect.
Initial reports suggest the gunfire did not occur inside any building.
The university issued an alert via Twitter about 12:30 p.m. local time as the situation unfolded.
UM Alert: Missoula Police have blocked parts of downtown near the police department after shots were fired at a police car being driven by an officer. No injuries reported. Avoid the area. This is an emerging situation with no direct threat to campus at this time.
— University of Montana (@umontana) February 12, 2020
Witnesses said police armed “with assault rifles” blocked off nearby streets and were searching for the shooter.
A nearby hospital was also locked down after a shelter-in-place alert was issued.
Nearly two hours after the first reports of gunfire, lockdowns remained in place at the courthouse and other administrative buildings in the downtown area, according to reports. A local high school in the area was also placed on high alert.
SWAT teams were later seen surrounding a nearby apartment building.
— This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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