Person of interest photos released after weekend shooting at ISU

NORMAL (25News Now) - Officials have released photos of a person of interest after a shooting at Illinois State University injured one.

University Police have released a description of a person of interest as a slender Black man, 5 feet 10 inches with a black afro hairstyle, wearing all black, last seen Sunday night running south from University and College streets.

In an update, University Police said a fight started between two groups of people that ended with someone not a student at the university receiving a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The incident happened around 7:40 p.m. Sunday at an event run by a registered student organization at the Bone Student Center.

Classes at ISU will be held Monday, April 28, but the student center will remain closed and all events at the building are being canceled on Monday.

In an email to the university community, ISU President Aondover Tarhule assured students, staff and faculty that the safety and security of the campus is their top priority and commends ISU Police and Bone Student Center staff for their quick response, and thanks law enforcement in Normal, Bloomington and McLean County, Illinois State Police and the Normal Fire Department.

Tarhule asked instructors to extend flexibility to students who might have been impacted or to direct them to the following:

• For students:  
  • Urgent walk-in counseling services will be available for students at the Student Services Building, Room 320, starting Monday, April 28, 2025, at 8 a.m. Counseling support is also accessible by contacting 309-438-3655. Press option 2 to speak to a counselor immediately. 
• For faculty and staff:  
  • Mental health services are available by contacting ComPsych at 833-955-3400 /800-697-0353 (TDD/TTY).  

People needing to retrieve personal items left behind may do so today, Monday, until 4:30 p.m. and tomorrow, Tuesday, starting at 7 a.m., at the welcome desk on the first floor.

The Bone Student Center will reopen Tuesday at 7 a.m. and all employees assigned to work in the building should report to work as regularly scheduled.

“To conclude, let us lean on one another with compassion and strength in this challenging moment,” he said. “Let us call on the support, kindness, and resilience that have always defined the Redbird community and stand united as we continue building a safe, caring future together.”

Eyewitness information can be given to ISU Police at 309-438-8631 or emailed to ISUPolice@ilstu.edu.

ISU Police said they’re investigating the shooting with the help of Normal and Bloomington police, Illinois State Police, and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office.

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