At least nine people were injured early Sunday when gunfire erupted on a busy street near Indiana University. This happened during the celebrations for the Little 500 cycling race. As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made.
Bloomington police were monitoring the crowd in the 400 block of East Kirkwood Avenue when they heard multiple gunshots just before 12:30 a.m. The noise triggered panic, and the crowd scattered. Officers quickly found several injured individuals.
It remains unclear how many were shot directly and how many were injured due to the chaos, such as being hit by debris.
Five people were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, while one was transported by police and two others by personal vehicles. A ninth person sought help from a nearby gas station, allegedly linked to the shooting.
Witnesses reported chaos as soon as the shots rang out. One witness described a packed area suddenly filled with fear. “I figured the police would handle it,” they said. “But then I saw someone pull out a gun and I ran.”
Authorities confirmed the shooting happened off-campus. Indiana University officials issued alerts advising people to stay indoors and avoid the area while the investigation continued.
The Little 500 is the largest collegiate bike race in the U.S., ending just hours before the shooting. Kirkwood Avenue, where the incident took place, is known for its lively bars and restaurants.
Mark Bode, an IU spokesperson, stated that no students from the university were involved. He expressed regret that a joyful weekend was overshadowed by violence: “We condemn the violence in the strongest terms and thank all law enforcement agencies who responded.”
This incident is a reminder of the ongoing violence that affects communities nationwide. According to a 2022 report from the Gun Violence Archive, nearly 700 mass shootings occurred in the U.S. that year alone. As the nation grapples with rising gun violence, community safety remains a pressing concern.
For the latest updates on events related to gun violence and public safety, you can visit the Gun Violence Archive.
