Shots Fired at Senior Citizen Complex

A S.W.A.T. team was called Thursday after shots were fired at an apartment building in Belleville. It's believed someone was in the courtyard shooting. It happened just after 6:00 a.m. at the Columbia Court Senior Apartments.

Several people called 9-1-1. One even reported seeing the gunman on the roof of the building. The nearby high school was closed for the day.

"We thought we knew who may be doing it. We entered his apartment and took him into custody," said Belleville Police Sgt. Robert Dawson.

A 35-year-old man believed to be a veteran was taken into custody. Police say his father lives in the apartment building.

People who live at the senior complex as well as neighbors say that the shooting during the early morning hours has been going on for the past few weeks.

"On Tuesday morning... about 4:30 a.m. I heard eight shots ring out," said Michael Hinchcliff.

Even with a man in custody, police continued to search the apartment building room by room. "They checked all the rooms and went back out again. I counted ten guys in the hallway," said Fred Harris.

After several hours, police gave the all-clear.

Police say the 35-year-old suspect later confessed to firing the shots.  He could be arraigned on Friday.