Witnesses said the shooting took place after a fight broke out between two women

NEED TO KNOW

• At least nine people were injured in a mass shooting near Indiana University on April 26
• Gunfire rang out just before 12:30 a.m. local time, at a celebration following the “Little 500” collegiate bicycle race
• The Little 500, also known as the “Little Five,” is an annual event held at the Bill Armstrong Stadium at the school in Bloomington

At least nine people have been injured in a mass shooting near Indiana University.

The Bloomington Police Department (BPD) responded to reports of gunfire just before 12:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 26, at a celebration following the “Little 500” collegiate bicycle race, according to Fox News, The Herald-Times and WTHR. 

Upon arrival, officers found “multiple wounded individuals,” per WTHR. Nine people were subsequently transported to local hospitals, including five by ambulance.

“Police are responding to shots fired on Kirkwood Ave. Take safe shelter. Lock door[s]. Avoid the area,” Indiana University wrote in an initial social media notice to students.

In addition to the multiple individuals immediately taken to the hospital by ambulance, another was transported in a BPD squad car, while two others were taken in personal vehicles.

One other person was taken to the hospital from a nearby gas station, with injuries believed to be related to the shooting, per WTHR.

“It is not currently known how many suffered direct gunshot wounds or if their injuries were a result of being struck by bullet fragments,” the BPD said in a news release, per The Herald-Times.

"The Indiana University Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Indiana State Police assisted at the scene," authorities added.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. No suspect or suspects have been taken into police custody.

The Little 500, also known as the "Little Five," is an annual event held at the Bill Armstrong Stadium at the school in Bloomington.

Witnesses told WTHR that the area where the shooting took place had been filled with people celebrating when a fight broke out between two women. 

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“I didn't think too much of it,” one witness told the outlet. “I figured the police would get to it. But then I saw a girl reach toward her pants leg and start firing. By then, I was already running the other way.”

“It's a big commotion, a big group of people, then the shots went off,” another witness said, emphasizing that the situation escalated quickly. “I told the guy, 'We've got to get out of here because they're shooting.' "

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