Shootings at NIU campus in Chicago

February 14, 2008

A man with a shotgun went on a rampage at Northern Illinois University in Chicago Thursday and hospitals in the area were told to expect up to 15 injured people. FOX "News" is reporting that at least 18 people have been shot.

"It's has been confirmed that there has been a shooting on campus and several people have been taken away by ambulance,' the school said in a posting on its DeKalb campus Web site. "All classes are canceled on the DeKalb campus. People are urged not to come to campus."

The university issued an alert the 3:20 p.m. local time telling students to avoid Kings Common and buildings in that area. A spokeswoman confirmed that the shooting occurred.

"I saw a lot of confusion," witness Dominique Broxton said. "Students were running. People really didn't know what was going on. There is an intercom system inside the dorm. Someone came on and stated that someone had been caught. They said they caught the shooter and that we should remain calm and stay in our rooms. I am in my room now."

WBBM in Chicago reported that a man with a shotgun began shooting in a lecture hall, and the (DeKalb) Daily Chronicle reported that police said on a scanner that the man had a shotgun and a pistol.

The Daily Chronicle reported that at least two people are reported down in DuSable Hall, and one person had blood on the back of the head, according to eyewitness reports. It could not be confirmed if it was from a gunshot.

Theresa Komitis, spokeswoman at Kishwaukee Medical Center in DeKalb, said as many as 15 patients were expected to be brought to the hospital and possibly other area facilities. She had no further details as of 4 p.m. There was no immediate confirmation from law enforcement or the hospital that 15 people had been injured.

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