NORMAL – One person was killed and another was critically injured in a shooting near the Illinois State University campus during homecoming weekend.
The incident happened during a large party that had gathered outside a gas station early Sunday morning.
In a message to students, faculty, and staff University president Aondover Tarhul said individuals not affiliated with the university and Bloomington-Normal communities promoted a “pop-up party”. More than 1,000 people in north Normal attended the gathering.
The party began in a park near campus and later moved to a gas station in the 300 block of North Main Street, according to Normal Police. At approximately 3:30 a.m., as local police agencies were dispersing the large crowd near and around the gas station, gunfire erupted in the 300 block of North University Street, which resulted in the fatal shooting.
“While police have confirmed that neither victim is affiliated with the University, our community remains profoundly impacted,” Tarhul said. “I share the sentiments expressed by many in our community, including sympathy for the victims’ families, shock and anger that such violence occurred adjacent to campus, and concern for the safety of our community.”
Normal Mayor Chris Koos is working with Tarhul on how to handle pop-up parties in the future as they are organized by outside promoters and groups in college towns around the country.
“We are deeply disturbed by the ‘pop-up party’ that happened this weekend in Normal near Illinois State University,” he said in a statement.
“These aren’t typical parties. This event was promoted by people outside our community and designed to attract people from miles away who don’t feel personal responsibility for their actions. This is unacceptable and we will not tolerate them in Normal.”
Tarhul added that these types of gatherings damage public and private property, disrupt local businesses and residential neighborhoods, and consume resources from the community and university.
Normal Police said it is currently investigating the incident and further information will be released.