The Little 500 celebration in Bloomington turned chaotic early Sunday when a fight between two women reportedly escalated into gunfire, leaving nine people hurt and prompting a large law enforcement response and an ongoing investigation.
Details remain limited, but police say they arrived just before 12:30 a.m. after multiple reports of shots fired near the event. Emergency crews transported nine injured people to local hospitals, with at least six taken by ambulance while others were driven or assisted to care.
Witness accounts describe the incident as starting with a dispute and then suddenly becoming violent when someone produced a weapon. “Two women fighting … I didn’t think too much of it,” one witness said. “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.”
Nine people were injured in a mass shooting near Indiana University early Sunday morning.
Police responded to reports of gunfire at a celebration after the “Little 500” college cycling race in the area just before 12:30 a.m., finding “multiple wounded individuals.” Nine people were taken to local hospitals, including six by ambulance, according to WHTR.
Authorities have not detailed the extent of the victims’ injuries.
Witnesses told the outlet that the gunfire resulted from an altercation between two women at the event.
“Two women fighting … I didn’t think too much of it,” a witness told WHTR. “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.”
Authorities have not announced any arrests and have not released names or detailed conditions of the injured, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Local law enforcement agencies and state police were reported to be coordinating the response on scene and at area hospitals.
The university released a statement expressing condemnation of the violence and gratitude to responding agencies, while noting that no students are believed to be involved. “Safety remains our top priority and we remain in close coordination with local and state law enforcement,” the statement said, acknowledging the shock to what should have been a celebratory weekend.
IU statement on this morning’s shooting on Kirkwood Avenue:
“Last night marred what should have been a celebratory weekend for the IU and Bloomington communities.
While no IU students are believed to be involved, we condemn the violence in the strongest terms and thank the Bloomington Police Department, IUPD, State Police and other law enforcement agencies who responded to the events off campus. Our thoughts are with the victims of this tragic incident.
Safety remains our top priority and we remain in close coordination with local and state law enforcement.”
Residents and visitors during Little 500 described Kirkwood as packed with people enjoying the annual festivities, and that atmosphere turned tense once gunfire erupted. Some offered immediate assistance, with police and bystanders helping transport the wounded while ambulances and medical teams worked to stabilize victims.
Longtime attendees and local reporters voiced frustration and sorrow at the scene, reflecting how a traditional college celebration can be abruptly overshadowed by violence. “Waking up this morning and I am sad and angry,” one local reporter wrote, sharing how the community is reeling and urging anyone with information to come forward.
Waking up this morning and I am sad and angry.
9 people were injured early this morning in a shooting on Kirkwood in Bloomington during Little 500 weekend.
Bloomington Police say they were stationed in the area due to it being Little 5 weekend when they heard multiple gunshots and the crowd started running.
If you don’t know Little 500 weekend, it’s a bike race, but it’s also the biggest party weekend of the year. Kirkwood was filled with thousands of students and people visiting.
Police say they immediately found multiple wounded people.
At this point, we still don’t know how many were hit directly with bullets, bullet fragments or if anyone was injured during the chaos after.
Ambulances took the injured, a Bloomington Police officer took someone in their own squad car, and two were driven by personal vehicles for treatment of injuries.
Police have no suspects and nobody in custody.
I was on Kirkwood with with my daughter and her friends on Friday afternoon. We literally played Yahtzee in Kilroy’s. I was gone before before 6PM. 
My son went to visit his sister, an IU student, Saturday during the day and I knew there would be a shooting, and I told him “I don’t want you shot” so he came home before 6PM.
I am praying for the 9 injured and their families. We don’t want to live this way. We shouldn’t have to tell our kids you can’t be somewhere because you might be shot.
Please don’t remain silent.
Anyone with information about the shooting, or who may have video of the shooting, is asked to contact Detective Chris Scott at 812-339-4477.
Investigators are asking witnesses and anyone with footage or tips to contact authorities to help piece together what happened and identify any suspects. The emphasis from police is on collecting evidence and accounts from people who were present that night.
This remains an active story with updates likely as law enforcement follows leads and hospitals provide more information about the victims. Community members, students, and families are processing the event and hoping for answers and accountability as the investigation continues.
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