What started as a Sunday night rooftop party at the Rive apartment complex in Bloomington turned into a scramble for safety when a man pulled a handgun and fired multiple shots into the air, police said. The gunfire sent people running from the roof and drew a heavy police response. Officers later recovered four spent .45-caliber shell casings at the scene. No one was injured, and investigators have released a still image of a man they are trying to identify as part of an active investigation.
Camera Catches Rooftop Shooter in the Act
In a news release, Bloomington Police Captain Ryan Pedigo said surveillance cameras “captured” a man pulling out a handgun and that he “fired numerous rounds” into the air, according to WIBC. Pedigo said officers found four spent .45-caliber shell casings on the roof and that the suspect ran southwest from the building after the shooting. Police searched the parking garage and surrounding area but had not identified a suspect at the time of the release.
Crowd Bolts, Police Report No Injuries
Officers were called to the complex around 10 p.m. after reports of three shots and spoke with witnesses who said partygoers scattered after the gunfire, according to WFIU/Indiana Public Media. The station reported that the suspect appeared to leave through the building’s parking garage after the shooting. Police said they did not locate a suspect at the scene and that no victims were taken to a hospital.
Police Ask Public for Tips
Bloomington police released a photo of the person they hope to identify and described him as a Black man wearing a white shirt, black pants and white-and-black shoes, according to WIBC. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Joe Henry at 812-349-3907 or [email protected]. The department said tips and video could help investigators put a name to the face and urged residents to share any footage they may have from the area.
Context: Rooftop Gunfire Amid a String of Spring Shootings
The rooftop incident comes during a stretch of gun-related cases in Bloomington this spring. Police arrested an 18-year-old in connection with a Little 500 weekend shooting that wounded several people on April 26, as reported by the Indiana Daily Student. The night after the rooftop party gunfire, a 20-year-old man was found shot to death in woods near an apartment complex on the city’s east side, WRTV reported. Detectives said the cases are being investigated separately but again asked anyone with video or information to reach out.
