Elected officials respond to shooting near IWU: 'Sad and frightening' for that neighborhood

Elected officials respond to shooting near IWU: ‘Sad and frightening’ for that neighborhood

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Mass Shooting Near Illinois Wesleyan University Leaves One Dead and Seven Injured

A mass shooting early Sunday near the Illinois Wesleyan University campus in Bloomington left one person dead and seven others injured, according to local reporting by wglt.org. The incident occurred near Division and East streets in the city’s Ward 7, impacting a college neighborhood and drawing immediate responses from local, state, and federal officials.

The wounded victims include two Illinois Wesleyan University students and one Illinois State University student. The Bloomington Police Department is actively investigating the shooting, while community leaders grapple with the safety implications for residents and students living near the campus corridor.

Ward 7 Council Member Calls the Incident Sad and Frightening

Mollie Ward, the Bloomington city council member representing Ward 7 where the shooting occurred, voiced deep frustration over ongoing gun violence in the area. Ward noted that tackling gun violence was a primary motivation for her joining the city council.

“I don’t really have words at this point to describe how sad and frightening this is for that block. I can only imagine what they’re going through at this point,” Ward told wglt.org. “I’m very angry that this continues again to be an issue in our community as a whole, but also Ward 7.”

Ward pointed to the city’s Commission for Safe Communities, which is scheduled to release its first annual report in a few weeks. She expects the report to offer proactive recommendations that move beyond solely relying on law enforcement. “We can’t just place it on police,” Ward said, adding that community members often fall into the trap of assuming violence will not touch their neighborhood.

Elected Officials Issue Statements as Investigation Continues

Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady extended condolences to the family of the individual killed and thanked first responders for providing lifesaving care at the scene. “We understand the concern an incident like this creates throughout our community,” Brady said in a statement, emphasizing that the police department is actively pursuing leads and will share updates as they become available.

Federal and state representatives also responded to the violence. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen posted on Facebook that communities must find ways to translate thoughts into action regarding gun safety. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood shared that he and his wife Kristen are praying for the victims and their families, while expressing gratitude for law enforcement officers who secured the area. State Rep. Sharon Chung stated that she was deeply troubled by the acts of violence near the campus and that her heart aches for the families affected.

Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding suspects or a motive as the investigation remains ongoing.

More on this story: 1 killed, 7 others injured in shooting near Illinois Wesleyan University campus – WGLT · BREAKING: Shooting reported near Kirkwood Avenue and Dunn Street, no ongoing threat

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