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An early Sunday morning gathering near Indiana University in Bloomington turned violent when two men reportedly opened fire, injuring nine people, according to authorities.
The shooting occurred around 12:25 a.m. along the 400 block of East Kirkwood Avenue, close to a Five Guys restaurant. Bloomington police were already present, overseeing a crowd of 2,000 to 3,000 people who had gathered following the annual “Little 500” cycling event, officials reported.
Police stated that the incident was triggered by a fight between two women, which rapidly escalated as several individuals brandished firearms.
“During the altercation, multiple people were seen drawing handguns, and it’s believed that two different individuals discharged their weapons,” Bloomington Police Chief Mike Diekhoff explained at a press briefing on Sunday. “As chaos ensued, everyone began fleeing the area, prompting officers to rush in and search for victims.”
Officers are pictured investigating the aftermath of the shooting on Kirkwood Avenue on April 26, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. (Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images)
Five victims were struck by gunfire or bullet fragments, while others were injured while fleeing the chaotic scene, suffering cuts and scrapes.
Those hit by gunfire or fragments included five women between the ages of 17 and 22, police said.
“All were treated and released except one who has been admitted and is in stable condition,” Diekhoff said. “At this time, we are reviewing cellphone footage and video footage from nearby businesses.”
Officials said none of the victims were Indiana University students, and the motive of the shooters remains unclear.
“The shooters were male,” Diekhoff noted.
A police officer stands on patrol outside a Five Guys store during an investigation following a shooting on Kirkwood Avenue on April 26, 2026, in Bloomington, Indiana. (Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images)
He emphasized the shooting was not random, noting the gathering had been peaceful prior to the gunfire.
“At this time we will continue to investigate this and update on the status of the young woman who’s still in the hospital and update the investigative leads that we have as we move forward,” Diekhoff said.
Diekhoff said that authorities prepare extensively each year for the “Little 500,” which draws large crowds from across the country.
“What we need to do is we need to make sure that we get the message out that guns aren’t welcome, violence isn’t welcome but coming and having a good time is,” he said.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson speaks alongside law enforcement officials at a news conference on April 26, 2026. (City of Bloomington via Facebook)
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson condemned the violence, calling it “an incredibly sad day” for the community.
“We condemn gun violence unequivocally in any form and my thoughts are with those that were injured last night,” Thomson said.
The “Little 500” is considered the largest collegiate cycling race in the U.S., according to the Indiana University website.
The Bloomington Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.