Honestly, it was a really scary evening on April 27 for students and staff at Illinois State University. Right around 7:55 PM, shots were fired near the Bone Student Center in Normal, Illinois. Campus police sent out an emergency alert telling everyone to stay clear of the area around the Student Center and the nearby intersection at University and Locust Streets.
One person got hurt in the incident, but thankfully, there weren’t any more injuries reported after that. Surprisingly, the university didn’t issue a shelter-in-place alert, and classes are still set to go on as planned on Monday. A lot of students and families have been shaken up though, and that’s totally understandable.
Who Was the Suspect?
As of now, the person who fired the shots hasn’t been caught yet. Police are still looking for him, and they did share a description in hopes someone might help track him down.
Here’s what they said:
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He’s a Black male with a slim build
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Around 5’10” in height
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He had an afro hairstyle
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He was wearing all black during the incident
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Last seen heading south from the area near University and College Streets
If you saw anything or think you might know something, police are asking people to speak up. They’re hoping someone might have seen something helpful.
What Happened That Night?
From what people on campus are saying, it sounds like chaos. The shooting happened during a big sorority event being held at the Bone Student Center. There were students, professors, families, and even young kids there — it was supposed to be a fun night.
Then suddenly, shots rang out. People started running, trying to get to safety. Some hid, others just fled the building as fast as they could. It’s hard to even imagine how scary that must’ve been in the moment.
The one person who was injured did get medical care, which is good news. And aside from that, it looks like no one else got physically hurt — but mentally, this is going to stick with a lot of people for a while.
A Pattern That’s Starting to Feel Too Familiar
Sadly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened near the Bone Student Center. Back in September 2024, there was another shooting not far from this exact area — near University and Locust Streets — and that time, someone died.
That incident was a wake-up call for a lot of people. And now, just a few months later, there’s another shooting. It’s got students and parents questioning whether enough is being done to keep the campus safe, especially in busy public areas where events are held.
What the University Is Doing Now
Illinois State University has said they're fully cooperating with local law enforcement. Campus police are leading the investigation, and they’re asking anyone who might have seen or heard anything — even the smallest detail — to come forward.
The university also said they’re doing everything they can to make sure students, staff, and families feel safe. But with the shooter still out there, it’s clear there’s still a lot of work to do.
Right now, a lot of students are feeling anxious and unsure — and that’s totally fair. Everyone’s hoping for some answers soon, and most importantly, for whoever did this to be caught before anything else happens.
You can reach the ISU Police at: ISUPolice@ilstu.edu.
