A Chicago man accused in last year's shooting at Illinois State University has been found not guilty of attempted murder.
While acquitting him of an attempted murder charge, a McLean County jury convicted Emir Thomas, 20, on two serious weapons charges for allegedly shooting someone outside a sorority event at the university's Bone Student Center in April 2025.
Thomas was arrested last June in Chicago with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals. Authorities had asked for help in the aftermath of the shooting, releasing photos of Thomas, who at the time was labeled a "person of interest" in the incident. A warrant for his arrest was issued four days after the shooting.
Thomas and the victim, who was hospitalized by survived, were not affiliated with ISU at the time of the shooting. It was the second shooting to occur on or near campus during the 2024-25 school year.
Thomas faces up to 30 years in prison for the Class X felony aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm.
Another charge of unlawful possession of a firearm carries a prison term of one to three years.
Thomas remains in McLean County custody until his Aug. 24 sentencing hearing.
