A woman and a South Bend police officer were wounded by a single gunshot near the University of Notre Dame campus Saturday evening. The shooting occurred as football tailgate crowds were leaving the area and moving toward Eddy Street Commons. Both victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to make full recoveries, while the suspected shooter remained at large.
Police evacuated nearby businesses and parking garages and closed the commercial district during the investigation. Authorities said a separate shooting later that night was not known to be connected to the incident near Notre Dame.
| 1) | Shooting follows post-tailgate disturbance |
| 2) | Two people sustain non-life-threatening injuries |
| 3) | Suspect reportedly flees from the scene |
| 4) | Police secure Eddy Street Commons |
| 5) | Separate shooting reported later nearby |
Shooting follows post-tailgate disturbance
The shooting happened at about 7:30 p.m. Eastern time near Eddy Street and Angela Boulevard in South Bend, Indiana, close to the Notre Dame campus. The incident followed a fight as football-related tailgate crowds left nearby university gathering areas and headed toward Eddy Street Commons, a busy commercial district.
Notre Dame police alerted South Bend authorities to a male suspect who was reportedly armed and pointing a gun at people. South Bend officers located someone matching the description, but police said that person was unarmed when found. While about 20 South Bend officers were working in Eddy Street Commons and responding to the call, a single gunshot was heard in the area.
Two people sustain non-life-threatening injuries
Officers soon found a woman with a gunshot wound to her leg. A South Bend police officer was also injured, apparently by a ricochet or shrapnel from the same round. Authorities said the officer was doing fine and that the woman was okay.
Both victims were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Police said their injuries were not life-threatening and that both were expected to make full recoveries. The available information did not indicate that either victim was the intended target.
A single gunshot was heard near Eddy Street and Angela Boulevard, police said.
Suspect reportedly flees from the scene
Authorities continued searching for the suspected shooter after the gunfire. Notre Dame officials said the suspect fled west from the scene, and police had not announced an arrest at the time of the report.
The suspect was described as a heavyset Black male with dreadlocks. Police said he was reportedly wearing blue shorts, a black shirt with a red and blue design on the front, and was missing one shoe. The description was released as investigators worked to identify and locate the person believed to be responsible.
Police secure Eddy Street Commons
Following the shooting, police evacuated nearby businesses and parking garages and shut down Eddy Street Commons. A substantial police presence remained in the area while investigators examined the scene and worked to establish what led to the gunfire.
Authorities urged members of the public to avoid the commercial district during the active investigation. The response involved South Bend police after the initial call from Notre Dame police, with officers securing the area and gathering information from witnesses and other people who had been present after the tailgates.
Separate shooting reported later nearby
Another shooting was reported later Saturday night about one mile from the Notre Dame-area incident. That separate event left at least two people dead and another critically injured, according to the report.
Police had not indicated that the later shooting was related to the gunfire near Eddy Street Commons. Investigators therefore treated the incidents as separate while continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding each case.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | One gunshot wounded a woman and a South Bend police officer near Eddy Street Commons. |
| 2 | Both victims were hospitalized with injuries expected to fully heal. |
| 3 | The suspected shooter reportedly fled west and remained at large. |
| 4 | A later shooting about one mile away was not known to be connected. |
Summary
The shooting near Notre Dame prompted a major police response after a post-tailgate fight spilled into the Eddy Street Commons area. A woman and an officer were injured by one round but were expected to recover. The investigation remained active, with police searching for a suspect and cautioning the public to avoid the affected commercial district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the shooting occur?
It occurred near Eddy Street and Angela Boulevard in South Bend, close to the Notre Dame campus.
Who was injured?
A woman suffered a leg wound, and a South Bend police officer was injured by what authorities believed could have been a ricochet or shrapnel.
Was the suspect arrested?
No arrest had been announced in connection with the shooting. Authorities said the suspected shooter fled west and remained at large.
