UPDATED 5:40 p.m. | Police are investigating the shooting death of a 17-year-old male in the Heartland Village Apartments in northwest Normal.
Tariq L. Houston of Springfield was shot and killed late Tuesday outside an apartment in the 1700 block of Putnam Avenue, near Heartland Community College, McLean County Coroner Kathleen Yoder said Wednesday. Preliminary autopsy findings indicate Houston, who also recently lived in Decatur, died from a gunshot wound of the abdomen, Yoder said.
Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said Wednesday apparently two groups were at a party. Total attendance may have been 40-50, said Bleichner, and the gathering may have spilled over into more than one apartment.
A disagreement arose and Bleichner said officers found Houston in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He died later at a hospital.
Bleichner said the dispute centered on two groups and is not a safety concern for the general public.
The chief said the McLean County state's attorney's office and the coroner's office are working together on the investigation. Anyone with information should contact Detective Jason Hoollenkamp at (309) 454-9730 or Sergeant Rob Cherry at (309) 454-9726. Individuals can also contact the McLean County Crime Stoppers at (309) 828-1111.
Interactive Map: See all gunfire incidents in Bloomington-Normal in 2019.
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