According to a spokesman for District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, it has been confirmed that a police officer fired his gun inside the hall while clearing protesters from a Columbia University administration building earlier this week.
No one was injured in the incident, as mentioned by spokesman Doug Cohen. There were other officers present, but no students were in the immediate vicinity. The incident is currently being reviewed by District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office.
According to news outlet The City, additional details on the incident were not provided by spokesman Doug Cohen. The New York Police Department has not responded to The Associated Press’ request for comment. The gunfire occurred when police officers stormed Hamilton Hall, where pro-Palestinian protesters had been barricaded for over 20 hours. Video footage showed officers entering through a second-floor window with zip ties and riot shields. Police had previously stated that the protesters inside did not offer significant resistance.
Over 100 protesters were taken into custody during Columbia’s crackdown on Tuesday. These protesters are part of a larger group of over 2,000 people who have been arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the United States. Columbia’s demonstrators had occupied Hamilton Hall after previously setting up a tent encampment on campus since April 17. The encampment was one of the earliest ones on college campuses.
