Some of the blasts heard in Danville Thursday night and early Friday were more than fireworks. They were gunshots. Danville Police say they are investigating three separate shootings involving five victims.
In the first, Police Commander Joshua Webb says officers were called to the area of the 1100 block of Seminary Street on a report of shots fired shortly after 4:00 a.m. on Thursday (July 4, 2019). The victim said he was standing outside at a party in the area of Seminary and Plum Streets when the 31-year-old Danville man was shot in his back and leg. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment of the non-life threatening wounds.
While investigating the scene, officers learned that a second gunshot victim had showed up at the hospital. The 33-year-old Danville man suffered gunshot wounds to his leg and lower back. The wounds were described as non-life threatening. A witness reported seeing a black male firing a handgun in the area of the party.
In the second incident, Danville Police responded to The Blue Store, located in the 800 block of North Vermilion Street, shortly before midnight Thursday (July 4, 2019). Upon arrival officers located a 32-year-old Danville woman with gunshot wounds to her arm and abdomen. The victim said she was on the parking lot outside the business when a black male started shooting at someone.
The victim believes she got caught in crossfire. She was taken to OSF Medical Center with serious gunshot wounds. While investigating the shooting police say a second victim showed up at an area hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. He is a 20-year-old Indianapolis man who suffered a non-life threatening wound to a shoulder. The victim said he was walking in the area of The Blue Store on North Vermilion Street when he heard gunfire and was struck in the shoulder.
Police also talked to a witness who reported seeing a black male with dreadlock style hair shooting at a dark colored SUV in the area of The Blue Store. Both the vehicle and suspect fled from the area.
The third shooting occurred shortly after 2 o’clock Friday morning (July 5, 2019). Danville Police responded to the area of the unit block of Columbus Street for a report of shots fired. While investigating they learned a victim had showed up at OSF Medical Center. The victim is a 20-year-old Danville woman who suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Commander Webb says the woman reported she was sitting in a vehicle with friends in the area of the unit block of Columbus Street when she saw a black male on foot shooting in her direction. The victim said the suspect ran south from the scene. The victim remained hospitalized late Friday in serious condition.
Police say there is nothing at this time to indicate these shootings are related. The investigation continues into all three incidents. Anyone with information that might help solve these crimes is asked to call Danville Police at (217) 431-2250, or call Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at (217) 446-TIPS.
