Peoria, IL – Two people were shot early Sunday morning in downtown Peoria, leading to multiple arrests after police officers were allegedly confronted by a crowd while attempting to render aid.
According to a statement from Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria, officers responded around 4:43 a.m. to the 600 block of Main Street for reports of gunfire. When they arrived, police located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. While officers attempted lifesaving measures and secured the area, they were allegedly surrounded, shoved, and interfered with by a group described as aggressive.
Police reported that additional gunfire was heard elsewhere downtown around the same time. A second gunshot victim later arrived at a local hospital by private vehicle. Authorities did not provide the conditions of the two victims as of Sunday morning.
Echevarria said several arrests were made at the scene, including charges of aggravated battery to police officers. He also noted that videos of the incident are circulating on social media, showing portions of the confrontation.
“Under no circumstances will I allow anyone to surround my officers aggressively, put their hands on them, or interfere as they are working to protect this community and save lives,” Echevarria said in the statement.
The incident remains under active investigation. Detectives are reviewing evidence, video footage, and community tips to identify suspects involved in the shootings.
Police emphasized their focus is on pursuing justice for the victims while maintaining public safety in downtown Peoria.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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