PALM BAY, Fla. – No arrests were made after a student being beaten by two others on the Eastern Florida State College campus shot and injured one of the attackers, according to police.
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Police said the shooting occurred on the Palm Bay campus, located at 250 Community College Parkway, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Campus officials said the student was in his car when he was approached by two men in another vehicle.
Palm Bay police said 24-year-old Landrick Hamilton, who was being beat with a pool cue, grabbed the gun from his car and shot Amado Contreras in the chest. Amado Contreras was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne and is in fair condition, police said.
Hamilton, a full-time student since 2013 studying chemical technology, was also taken to the hospital for injuries that occurred prior to the shooting, police said. Contreras' brother, Landyer Contreras, was also involved in the incident and wasn't injured.
WKMG-TV reports all three men are claiming self-defense. Police said the fight started as a verbal argument and escalated to physical. Evidence will be sent to the State Attorney's Office to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
An alert on the school's website stated, "Shooting reported in parking lot of Palm Bay Campus. Campus is locked down. Remain indoors, with doors locked until further notice."
Less than two hours later, the school tweeted, "EFSC Palm Bay campus safe, lockdown lifted. classes cancelled after a 3-person parking lot fight ended with 1 shot & 1 student injured."
No other schools in the area were locked down. Police said the scene was secure and an investigation was ongoing.
Eastern Florida State College was formerly known as Brevard Community College. The Palm Bay campus hosts a University of Central Florida regional branch.
Classes have been canceled for the rest of the week at the school, including the UCF-branch classes.