WILLOWBROOK, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — One person was killed, and 22 people were injured during a Juneteenth celebration early Sunday morning near the Willowbrook Shopping Center, officials with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office said.
The sheriff’s office said the evening started at about 6 p.m. with a "peaceful gathering" of 200 – 300 people near Route 83 and Honeysuckle Rose Lane.
Shortly after midnight, though, police were called to the area after a fight reportedly broke out. The sheriff's office said deputies heard gunfire as they responded to the scene.
"An unknown number of suspects fired multiple rounds from multiple weapons into the crown," wrote the DuPage County Sheriff's Office in a press release.
Officials said they know of 22 victims injured and one person killed by gunfire. Several others were hurt while trying to flee the party. First responders transported numerous people to local hospitals, while others walked themselves to hospitals.
Erica Truman said she received a call at about 12:45 a.m. from her daughter, who was injured in the shooting.
“She said her and her friend had been trampled all over and that they were bleeding, hurt, and that they were on the way to my house — and that somebody was shooting,” Truman said. “They never saw a shooter. They never really saw anything; they just heard a lot of gunshots. They ran. They fell, and then they were literally walked all over.”
One 19-year-old woman, who was at the party, told WBBM it was a "scene of chaos" as shots rang out.
The sheriff's office said individual conditions of the victims are not known. Their ages were also not immediately available.
Hours after the shooting, police tape surrounded the strip mall parking lot as officers from several towns — including Downers Grove, Wheaton and Warrenville — assisted Willowbrook police and the DuPage County Sheriff.
“The motive behind this incident is unclear, and this is still an active investigation,” Eric Swanson, the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office deputy chief, told reporters on Sunday morning.
The sheriff's office said no suspects are in custody. Businesses in the immediate vicinity of the shooting will remain closed until further notice.
Police said anyone with knowledge of the shooting should contact investigators at 630-407-2000.
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