In brief
A brawl in Iowa City's nightlife area escalated into gunfire, injuring five people, of whom three are students from the University of Iowa. One victim remains in critical condition, while four others are stable. Police are looking for persons of interest as the investigation continues. The University has extended support to affected students and their families amidst community alarm. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has condemned the violence and offered state assistance for the investigation.
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, police and university officials said.
Multiple victims were transported to hospitals for gunshot wounds, according to Iowa City police.
One person was in critical condition while four others were stable, police said.
No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning, according to a campus alert. Police released photos of groups of people identified as persons of interest.
Officers were responding to reports of a large fight in downtown Iowa City close to a pedestrian mall filled with bars and restaurants when they heard shots being fired, police said.
Videos shared on social media showed multiple fights breaking out in front of an outdoor bar area, followed by a frightened crowd of dozens running away.
University President Barbara Wilson confirmed that three students were wounded and stated that support is available for the campus community. “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,” Wilson said.
The university, with approximately 31,000 students, had issued several alerts advising students to stay away from the area. “While the investigation is in its early stages, there are no indications any university students were the intended victims,” one alert noted.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds condemned the violence, stating that it has devastated the university community and the state, and offered state assistance with the investigation.
