Five women were injured overnight Sunday in a shooting at Indiana University after the annual Little 500 races, which attract alums and large throngs of spectators.
Bloomington Police Chief Mike Diekhoff said patrol officers monitoring crowds near the campus heard gunshots at 12:25 a.m. When they arrived at the scene, they discovered five people injured by gunshots or pieces of bullets.
Several more persons were injured when they fled the site, Diekhoff said at a news conference on Sunday. The victims were women aged 17 to 22 years old. The police chief reported that all were treated and released, save for one who was hospitalized in stable condition. “A fight is believed to have broken out between two females near the front of the Five Guys restaurant on Kirkwood,” Diekhoff stated.
The police chief noted that several people were spotted drawing firearms, but detectives believe only two persons opened fire. An inquiry is underway, he said, underlining that the shooting was not random.
According to a statement from Indiana University, no students are thought to be involved. “Last night ruined what should have been a celebratory weekend for the IU and Bloomington communities,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the victims of this awful event. Safety remains our first priority, and we continue to work closely with local and state law enforcement.
On Sunday, Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson criticized gun violence and stated that the Little 500 weekend attracts many tourists to the largest collegiate bike event in the US. “It has been suggested that we ban guns from future public gatherings in Bloomington,” Thomson stated during the news conference. “Unfortunately, Indiana’s gun laws forbid such actions. ” And if the gun laws remain unchanged, anyone can open carry.”
Indiana removed the concealed carry permit requirement in 2022. The state does not require background checks or permits for purchasing handguns at the point of sale. We advise people not to bring guns to events, and we encourage you to speak out to those who have the power to modify our gun laws,” Thomson said.