PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria Police were called around 10 p.m. Friday to the area of Fayette and Madison on reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers observed a very large crowd in excess of 100 people in the street. Officers located a 15-year-old female victim who had been shot in the foot.
“The victim was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. A second victim, a 14-year-old female, arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle also with a gunshot wound to the foot,” Peoria Public Information Officer Amy Dotson said.
Fayette Street, between Madison and Monroe, was closed to traffic for about an hour in order to disperse the crowd. This required every available officer in the city as well as outside jurisdictions.
“Information gathered at the scene indicated 301 NE Madison was rented out as a venue for a juvenile birthday party. Crowds inside were estimated to be around 200 people,” Dotson said.
The crowd became unruly at which time security pushed partygoers outside. A large fight broke out with everyone spilling into the street when shots were fired.
Anyone with information including video coverage of the incident is encouraged to contact Criminal Investigations Detective Politis at (309) 494-8365 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, at (309) 673-4521.
