IMU lot gunshots raise questions, spark meeting

University officials will meet today to discuss the gunshots heard Sunday in the Indiana Memorial Union pay lot No. 2.

Representatives from the IU Police Department, the Student Activities Office and the IMU will assess whether or not more precautions should have been taken, what events should and should not be permitted at the IMU and security issues, Dean of Students Dick McKaig said.

“There’re a lot of unanswered questions that will be reviewed,” he said.

A fight occurred after a dance hosted by A Person Among People, an IU student organization.

About 10 officers were directing traffic in the area when they heard gunshots.
After searching the area, officers found five 9 mm shell casings and two .45-caliber shell casings.

Police did not find any people or property struck by the gunfire, IUPD Capt. Jerry Minger said.

But one complainant told officers she was hit in the back of the head and in her face by a security guard, Minger said.

The complainant said the guard grabbed her and forced her out of Alumni Hall after the fight started.

She protested and was allegedly hit in the back of the head. After trying to defend herself, she was allegedly punched in the face, Minger said.

Officers spoke with another female who said she was thrown to the ground by a security guard and threatened with a baton.

IUPD had not approved the security company that was patrolling the dance.
McKaig said he doesn’t believe better security would have necessarily prevented the gunshots.

It’s too early to tell at this point, he said.

The IU-Notify system was not used after the incident because the police officers did not believe there was a continuing threat to the community, said Larry MacIntyre, IU spokesman.

“We cannot activate the system every time there is a police incident,” MacIntyre said. “We only use the system when there is a situation that involves a potential risk.”

– Campus editor Elvia Malagon contributed to this report.