Weekend shootings near five college towns leave three dead and 29 injured

Violence struck five university communities across the United States over the weekend, resulting in three confirmed deaths and at least 29 hospitalizations. The incidents occurred in Indiana, Delaware, Alabama, Illinois, and Colorado, with police in each location currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the gunfire.

The wave of shootings began on Saturday evening. In Birmingham, Alabama, officers discovered nine people with gunshot wounds in the 400 block of Graymont Avenue West shortly after 7:50 p.m. The shooting happened near Legion Field following the Magic City Classic football game, which drew nearly 70,000 spectators. One victim died, and eight others were wounded, with one in critical condition and seven stable. Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett said most fans had left the stadium, but the shooting occurred near vendors along the street.

Later that night, a shooting on Main Street in Newark, Delaware, affected the University of Delaware community. University President Laura Carlson told the school community that victims were receiving care and thanked first responders. The university stated that at least six people were hospitalized, though it had not yet confirmed a final count or deaths. The Newark Police Department is leading the investigation.

In Bloomington, Indiana, officers responded to reports of gunfire near Kirkwood Avenue and Dunn Street around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday. Police found a man running from the area and took him into custody near Dunn Meadow. They recovered a firearm and shell casings but said it was unclear if the suspect fired the weapon. Seven people were hospitalized near the Indiana University homecoming event, with no deaths reported in that specific incident.

In Bloomington, Illinois, police responded to a shooting near Illinois Wesleyan University just before 1:25 a.m. on Sunday. A 19-year-old woman died at the scene, and another woman remains in critical condition. Seven victims were transported to the hospital. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed it is assisting with the investigation.

In Boulder, Colorado, officers arrived at a home on University Hill just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday after a reported shooting. They found two 19-year-old men with gunshot wounds. One man died at the hospital, while the other remains in critical condition. Detectives believe a group tried to force entry into the house after police had cited the residents for a nuisance party earlier that night. Shots were fired inside during the scuffle.

Police in Dallas reported four deaths and 15 injuries following three separate shootings in a neighborhood, while in Fayetteville, Arkansas, six people were hospitalized after a shooting early Sunday. In Dallas, Chief Daniel Comeaux said arrests had been made but did not specify the charges. In Fayetteville, no arrests had been made as of Sunday morning, and a preliminary investigation indicated an altercation preceded the gunfire.