At least three students were injured in a mass shooting a block away from the University of Iowa’s campus during a wild brawl early Sunday.
Police were responding to a large fight at the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City around 1:45 a.m. when gunshots rang out, the Iowa City Police Department said.
Multiple people were injured in a fight in Iowa City that sparked a shooting. X/RawsAlerts
Dramatic video shared on social media captured dozens of people crowded around the melee as a group of men threw haymakers at each other.
Separate clips caught people frantically running away from the gunshots.
“At this time, multiple victims have been taken to area hospitals to be treated for wounds suffered in the shooting,” the police statement read.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson confirmed in a statement that the three wounded people are students.
🚨#BREAKING: Multiple injuries have been reported as sh0ts and fights broke out at the University of Iowa in Iowa City
Currently, dozens of emergency crews are responding to an active situation at the University of Iowa in Iowa City after reports of fights… pic.twitter.com/ckCFn9P2eN
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 19, 2026
“I am writing to you with a heavy heart. Early today, a shooting in downtown Iowa City injured three University of Iowa students. Iowa City Police are investigating, with the full support of University of Iowa Police,” she wrote in the statement.
“The university is in close communication with local law enforcement and will share more information as we are able. For now, I encourage you to rely on official university communications for updates,” Wilson added.
No arrests had been made as of Sunday morning. instagram/Mohammed yasar ullah shakeel
The severity of the victims’ injuries was not immediately known.
The popular college-bar strip is a block away from the nearest University of Iowa building.
Police were called to the scene around 1:45 a.m. Iowa’s News Now/YouTube
University officials issued a campus-wide “Hawk alert” around 1:50 a.m. Central Time warning of gunshots near the intersection of E College Street and Clinton Street.
“Situation Update: First responders on scene. Confirmed victims. Please continue to avoid the area,” read one of the alerts.
No arrests have been made in the early morning chaos, officials said.
The Iowa City Police are asking witnesses to come forward and give their accounts along with any security camera footage.
Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.