John Bohnenkamp for Pen City Current Sports
MACOMB, Ill. — One person was killed and 10 others were injured in an early-morning shooting on Saturday at a house party near the Western Illinois University campus.
Six of the injured were WIU students, Macomb interim police chief Jeff Hamer said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
Names of the victims were not released at the press conference, Hamer said, because families were still being notified.
Hamer said police received a call at 1:55 a.m. Saturday of shots fired in the 500 block of N. Johnson St. The shooting was the result of an altercation, but Hamer would not give further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Hamer said one person was pronounced dead at the scene. The name was not being released, but Hamer said the victim was not a WIU student.
The injured were taken by ambulance to McDonough District Hospital in Macomb. The hospital, Hamer said, was placed on lockdown for security reasons.
“It was for precautionary measures,” Hamer said. “With the influx of witnesses and injured parties, we had to make the scene safe.”
Several of the victims were then transferred to Area 1 trauma centers by ambulance.
WIU canceled all athletic events for the weekend, including a men’s soccer match at Southeastern Community College on Saturday, but all other university events were still scheduled.
"After meeting with coaches and the teams, we will announce when we will resume competition," WIU athletics director Paul Bubb said in a statement.
Asked if any WIU athletes were among the victims, Hamer said he could not comment because of the ongoing investigation.
Hamer said it was likely that photos or videos of the incident exist. Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at (309) 836-3222. Video can also be emailed to citizenconcerns@macombpolice.com.
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