BLOOMINGTON — An active investigation is underway in downtown Bloomington after a mass shooting broke out on East Kirkwood Avenue early Sunday morning.
At approximately 12:25 a.m. on April 26, 2026, officers with the Bloomington Police Department (BPD) were stationed in the 400 block of East Kirkwood Avenue to monitor a large crowd. The situation turned chaotic when officers reported hearing multiple gunshots, causing the crowd to scatter in several directions.
Officers immediately converged on the scene to provide medical aid. According to preliminary reports, at least nine individuals were injured in the incident. It remains unclear how many victims suffered direct gunshot wounds versus injuries sustained from bullet fragments or the resulting stampede.
The transport of the injured was handled through multiple channels:
- Five victims were transported via ambulance from the downtown area.
- One victim was rushed to the hospital in a BPD squad car.
- Two victims arrived at local hospitals via personal vehicles.
- One additional victim was located at a gas station in the 200 block of W. 17th Street and transported by ambulance; police believe their injuries are directly related to the Kirkwood shooting.
The scene was secured with the assistance of the Indiana University Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police.
Investigators utilized high-tech tools to process the expansive crime scene, including Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles (RPAVs) to map the area from above. An Indiana State Police helicopter was also deployed to assist ground units.
The shooting occurred during one of the city’s busiest periods, as tens of thousands of visitors gathered for the Little 500 weekend. Billed as “The World’s Greatest College Weekend,” the annual Indiana University event features the 38th women’s and 75th men’s bicycle races, which took place on Friday and Saturday. Kirkwood Avenue, a central hub for nightlife and student activity, was heavily populated with race attendees and community members celebrating the conclusion of the weekend’s festivities when the violence erupted.
As of Sunday morning, no suspects are in custody. BPD is aggressively seeking any information from the public, particularly video footage from cell phones or dashcams that may have captured the moments leading up to the gunfire.
Anyone with information regarding the shooting or potential suspects is urged to contact Detective Chris Scott at 812-339-4477.
Police officials emphasize that this information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation evolves. Further updates are expected as detectives review surveillance footage and interview witnesses.
