1 shot at Eastern Florida State College, forcing hour-long lockdown

One man was shot and another injured in a parking lot fight on Thursday at Eastern Florida State College that forced an hour-long campus lockdown and canceled classes, police said.

Three men, at least one a student, began arguing and fighting in the lot about 1:30 p.m.

Apparently acting in self-defense, Landrick Hamiliton, 24, pulled a gun from his car and fired at Amado Contreras, 25, hitting him in the chest, said Officer Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay Police Department’s public information officer. A third male, Landyer Contreras, 30, who is Amado’s brother, was not injured, Martinez said.

“Right now, all parties are claiming self-defense,” Martinez said. “They all know each other. They were having some sort of verbal argument that escalated in the parking lot.”

The college’s Palm Bay campus was locked down during the incident and all classes were canceled until Monday, according to its Twitter page.

Amado Contreras was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, Martinez said. Hamilton was treated at the hospital for injuries during the fight. All three involved are cooperating with police, she said.

Hamilton, of Palm Bay, has been a full-time student at the college since last year, studying chemical technology. He has no history of disciplinary problems at the college, the college wrote in a statement online.

The safety policy on Eastern Florida State College’s website states weapons are prohibited on college property, except for law enforcement officers.

Martinez said no arrests have been made. The Police Department is reviewing all statements and evidence to forward to the state attorney’s office, which will determine whether to press criminal charges.

College President Jim Richey said the school is “deeply grateful for the rapid and courageous response of our campus security officers and the Palm Bay Police Department in the incident.”

The college said in its statement that counselors will be available for faculty, staff and students on Monday morning.

The school has more than 30,000 students on four campuses across Brevard County.

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saba.hamedy@latimes.com
Twitter: @saba_h