This is a developing story. Look here for updates as we learn more information.
Updated Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
CHAMPAIGN – Police said a person suffered two gunshot wounds after an altercation in Champaign’s Campustown late Friday night.
According to a news release from the University of Illinois Police Department on Saturday, officers found a male victim suffering from two gunshot wounds near the intersection of Fifth and Green Streets.
“Preliminary witness statements suggest the shooting followed a verbal altercation between multiple people. The victim became involved in the dispute and was subsequently struck by gunfire. All parties involved are not believed to be affiliated with the University of Illinois,” said the release.
An Illini Alert was issued Saturday at 12:31 a.m. Despite a mass response by UIPD officers, the department says the suspect was not located.
Police said the victim was transported to Carle Hospital where they received surgery, and their medical care continued. Their condition has not been made public.
Updated Saturday at 6:30 a.m.
CHAMPAIGN – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign police responded to reports of shots fired in the busy Campustown area late Friday night.
There are no confirmed reports of injuries as of Saturday at 6:30 a.m.
Saturday at 12:31 a.m., the university issued an Illini-Alert Emergency message that stated shots were fired at 411 East Green Street in Champaign. It was also advised to avoid the area and secure your location.
The location is the recently opened Raising Cane’s fast food restaurant. Green Street is a bustling corridor especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, where many University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students live and patronize dozens of restaurants and bars.
According to the student publication, The Daily Illini, several nearby bars went into lockdown.
The university issued an Illini-Alert Emergency message at 4:23 a.m. stating the emergency had ended and it was safe to resume regular activities.
Illinois Public Media News has asked for comment from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign communications and police chief Matt Ballinger, but have yet to receive a response.
In October 2022, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign police took over patrolling the area from Champaign police, which were understaffed at the time.
In July 2022, Joshua Berg of Urbana was fatally shot near Second and Green Street in Campustown.