BLOOMINGTON, IND. — A mass shooting occurred early Sunday morning, April 26, near Indiana University in Bloomington, injuring at least nine people during a celebration following the Little 500 collegiate bicycle race.
Incident Details
The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) responded to reports of gunfire just before 12:30 a.m. local time. Officers arrived at the scene to find multiple individuals wounded. Nine people were transported to local hospitals, with five taken by ambulance, according to reports from Fox News, The Herald-Times, and WTHR. One individual was taken by a BPD squad car, and two others were transported in personal vehicles. Additionally, another person was taken to a hospital from a nearby gas station with injuries believed to be related to the shooting.
Indiana University issued a warning to students: “Police are responding to shots fired on Kirkwood Ave. Take safe shelter. Lock door[s]. Avoid the area.”
Investigation and Witness Accounts
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and no suspects have been taken into custody at this time. It is unclear how many individuals were directly struck by gunfire or if some were injured by bullet fragments. The Indiana University Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and Indiana State Police assisted at the scene.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene during the celebration when a fight reportedly broke out between two women. One witness recalled, “I didn’t think too much of it… But then I saw a girl reach toward her pants leg and start firing.” Another witness emphasized how quickly the situation escalated: “It’s a big commotion, a big group of people, then the shots went off. I told the guy, ‘We’ve got to get out of here because they’re shooting.’”
About the Little 500
The Little 500, also known as the Little Five, is an annual cycling event held at Bill Armstrong Stadium at Indiana University in Bloomington. It is one of the largest student-run events in the country and attracts thousands of attendees each year.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are continuing to investigate the incident, and the public is urged to avoid the area while authorities work to gather more details. The shooting has raised concerns among both the local community and the university, as the situation remains under investigation.
