Three people were arrested on charges of mob action, aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm after an incident at Woodview Commons Saturday.
Officers responded to the student housing complex at 11:52 p.m.
“Evidently, they had a party up there at Woodview Commons at their clubhouse and things got out of control,” said East Peoria Police Chief Ed Papis.
Papis said early reports indicate members of two gangs, called the Hilltoppers and the Southsiders, were at the party, which was reported to have about 500 people in attendance.
“Our initial indications are there were two gang factions there and words were exchanged and that was broken up, and later on there was a rap song played and somebody took offense to it and then the melee broke out,” Papis said.
According to Illinois Central College president Dr. John Erwin, four people were injured. One female was hit by a vehicle when she tried to run away after shots were fired in the parking lot. The female suffered two broken legs. The other three victims received minor injuries.
Papis said there is no solid confirmation that anyone was shot.
Those arrested were Rodrick D. Johnson, 19, Jemeral Linwood, 19, and Emanuel W. Jones, 21, all of Peoria.
Papis said initial indications are that those arrested are not residents of Woodview Commons.
On Monday, Papis said he was meeting with East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus and ICC president Dr. John Erwin to discuss the matter.
Papis said police have talked to several witnesses and continue to sort out the incident.
According to police reports, when officers arrived, they were informed by a resident assistant that the smell of cannabis was coming from the party. The officer was also told there were several people fighting in the parking lot, shots had been fired, and people were injured.
The officer noted several hundred people running away from the clubhouse and vehicle grid locked, all trying to exit the parking lot in all directions.
Several frantic individuals approached the officer and said that someone had been shot and was lying in the roadway. The officer responded to the female who had been hit by a car. Rescue was called.
Police noted several fights breaking out in the parking lot. One officer said he broke up no less than four different fights. In each instance, police said, there appeared to be one person on the ground with six to eight other individuals circled around, kicking and punching the victim.
Papis said it is not clear if one or more people shot a gun. Windows in several vehicles were shot out.
Several other police agencies arrived to assist East Peoria police, including Fon du Lac Park District Police, Washington, Creve Coeur and Peoria police departments, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.
Erwin said students who live at Woodview Commons, which is owned by a limited liability corporation, have to sign a contract upon moving in that states they will not have alcohol or drugs on the premises. Erwin said the party Saturday was properly registered.
“That is quite fine, but what happened, it escalated quickly into larger numbers ... apparently there were some differences and arguments,” Erwin said.
“Our officers were called over ... They had asked the people to move out of Woodview Commons to the parking lot. More fights broke out and gunshots were fired. Obviously, there was chaos at that point.”
Erwin said when he received the call about the incident in the middle of the night, he was shocked and disappointed.
“We’ve never ever had anything remotely close to something like this happening in proximity to Illinois Central college. That part took me back. And I’m just disappointed that people who had an opportunity to enjoy themselves took it to a whole other level.”
Because those arrested were not students, Erwin said it makes the situation more complex to deal with.
Erwin said ICC security guards, as well as East Peoria police do vehicular rounds at Woodview Commons. He added that ICC security guards are on call when needed.
“They were right in the middle when all of this took place,” he said, adding three ICC security guards were on site at about 11:50 p.m.
“East Peoria responded extremely quickly. (The party) began to grow around 11:50 to midnight.
Our officers were disbanding the group to go to parking lot. Shots were heard at 12:01. East Peoria officers were there at 10 after the hour,” Erwin said. “When this kind of thing is happening, speed is important, but it can’t stop it either.”
A full internal review will take place, Erwin said, adding that ICC officials are working with East Peoria police.
“All of these things are being reviewed. We will do all we can to reconcile this circumstance and do anything we can to further prevent this type of occurrence.”
It is not known if any ICC students will be kicked out of Woodview Commons, which houses 300 students. Erwin said that would be an internal matter.
“I don’t know that any policy was breached by a student. I think the escalation was non-student,” he said. “If there’s evidence of student involvement with drugs or alcohol, there’s disciplinary measures to take care of that.”
Erwin visited Woodview Commons Sunday to assure parents and students of their safety.
“I feel sympathetic to the students who might be fearful. I wanted to let them know this was an isolated incident. I think students and parents were very, very appreciative ... I wanted students to know I care.”
