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 reported.
Multiple victims were transported to hospitals for gunshot wounds, according to Iowa City police. One person remains in critical condition, while the other four were reported stable.
As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made, which was confirmed by a campus alert. Police have released photos identifying a group considered persons of interest.
Officers were responding to reports of a large fight in downtown Iowa City close to a bustling pedestrian mall when gunshots were heard. Social media videos depicted multiple disturbances taking place outside an outdoor bar, leading to a chaotic scene as many fled in fear.
University President Barbara Wilson expressed her concern, stating, '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.'
The university has around 31,000 students. According to alerts issued by the university, students were advised to avoid the area as investigations proceed. One alert noted that there were no indications that any university students were the intended targets of the violence.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds condemned the shooting, calling the act of violence 'senseless' and offered state assistance for the investigation.
