Nine people were injured just after midnight Sunday when gunfire tore through a packed stretch of East Kirkwood Avenue in downtown Bloomington, a few blocks from the Indiana University campus. Officers already on scene monitoring a large crowd suddenly found themselves racing between multiple victims scattered across the area, as emergency crews rushed several people to local hospitals.
Bloomington police said officers in the 400 block of East Kirkwood Avenue "heard what they believed to be multiple gunshots" shortly after midnight and watched the crowd break apart and run, as reported by FOX59. Several injured people were located at different spots downtown and treated on scene before being transported.
According to Indiana Daily Student, nine people in total were taken to area hospitals. Six went by ambulance, one was driven in a Bloomington Police squad car and two were taken in personal vehicles. It was not immediately clear how many of those injuries came from direct gunshot wounds versus fragments or other causes. The Indiana University Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Indiana State Police all assisted at the scene, the paper reported. Police had not taken any suspect into custody.
Police response and investigation
Investigators deployed remotely piloted aerial vehicles to document the scene, and the Indiana State Police used a helicopter to help in the search and evidence collection, according to FOX59. Detectives said the information released in the early hours of the investigation was preliminary and could change as officers continue interviews and pull surveillance and bystander video.
Victims and campus alerts
Officers found victims at several downtown businesses, and another injured person was located at a gas station in the 200 block of West 17th Street, Indiana Daily Student reported. Indiana University sent an IU Notify alert urging people to shelter in place, lock doors and stay away from Kirkwood Avenue while Bloomington police worked the scene.
How you can help
Bloomington police asked anyone who was in the area or has video of the shooting or its aftermath to contact Detective Chris Scott at 812-339-4477. Investigators said that even short clips or timestamps from social media posts could help them firm up a timeline and identify possible suspects.
Police emphasized that the release was preliminary and that more details are expected as the investigation moves forward. Residents and visitors were urged to continue avoiding the area so emergency crews and detectives can work without interference while they process the scene.
