IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A shooting during a fight in a nightlife district near the University of Iowa campus wounded five people early Sunday, including three students, according to police and university officials.
Multiple victims were transported to hospitals for gunshot wounds, as confirmed by Iowa City police. Reports indicate that one victim is in critical condition while the other four are in stable condition.
No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning, and police released photos of groups of individuals deemed as persons of interest.
Responding officers heard gunfire while addressing a report of a large fight close to a pedestrian mall packed with bars and restaurants. Videos circulating on social media depicted scenes of chaos, with multiple fights erupting and crowds fleeing in panic.
University President Barbara Wilson confirmed the injuries to three students and expressed her thoughts and support for them and their families. “While we await additional information, I am thinking about these students and their families, friends, and all the people who care about them. I am holding them close in my thoughts, along with everyone in our community who is hurting or feeling shaken right now,” she stated.
The university, home to roughly 31,000 students, has announced that support services are available for those impacted by the violence. Governor Kim Reynolds condemned the incident, describing it as a senseless act of violence that has deeply affected the university community and the state. She has also offered state assistance in the ongoing investigation.
Officials have issued alerts, urging students to avoid the area, and clarified that, while the investigation is ongoing, there is currently no indication that any university students were the intended targets.
