Western Illinois University is closed Thursday after two police officers were shot and injured while serving a warrant near campus Wednesday evening.
The incident happened near WIU and at a residence on North Normal Street in Macomb. Police in Bloomington and at Illinois State University said they received reports of an active shooter at both Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) and ISU but there was no active threat.
"We ask our community to look critically at the information being shared with them, ask questions before sharing, and bring firsthand accounts to 911 or ISU Police so we can quickly respond to protect our campus community," said the ISU Police Department.
Bloomington Police said they responded to IWU on Wednesday night for reports of an active shooter — only to find no active assailant and no credible threat.
"We take all reports seriously and response to these incidents takes priority when the safety and well-being of our community members is threatened," BPD said on Facebook. "It is essential to recognize that misinformation and social media shared without context can cause serious harm to our community. We ask our community members to look critically at the information being shared with them, ask questions before sharing, and bring first-hand accounts to law enforcement so we can quickly respond."
The suspect is believed to be still inside a residence in Macomb, Tri States Public Radio reports. The officers were taken to local hospitals for treatment and then transferred to a secondary facility. Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer said the officers are in "good spirits" and are expected to recover.
