Teen killed in Bloomington Halloween party shooting near Illinois Wesleyan
Giana Dettloff, 19, a North Central College freshman and Glenbard North graduate, was shot dead at a Halloween party in Bloomington, Illinois. Eight others were injured in the early-morning attack.
Bloomington Halloween shooting kills North Central College student, eight wounded
A 19-year-old woman was shot dead and eight others were wounded at a Halloween party in Bloomington, Illinois, in the early hours of Sunday morning, abc7chicago.com reports. The victim, Giana Dettloff, was a recent graduate of Glenbard North High School and a first-year student at North Central College in Naperville. She had travelled to Bloomington for the weekend to visit a friend.
The shooting took place at approximately 1:20 a.m. near Illinois Wesleyan University. Officers in the area heard around ten gunshots and arrived within a minute to find multiple people wounded. Between 150 and 200 people had been gathered in a shared backyard between two houses when the gunfire broke out.
"Immediately after the shooting occurred, everybody fled," said Bryce Janssen, public information officer for the Bloomington Police Department. "Everybody that was able to flee took off and ran."
Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington said he had personally patrolled the area before the shooting and observed no signs of concern. He described the gathering as "noticeably peaceful, jovial," with "no disturbances witnessed or reported prior to the shooting." He added: "There was no indication or warning that a shooting would occur."
Simington said he spent more than an hour with Dettloff's parents on Sunday morning. "According to her parents, she was their only daughter," Simington said. "She was described as full of life, a sweet girl with a very bright future."
Among the eight injured was another recent Glenbard North graduate. Investigators have not yet determined what prompted the shooting, nor whether one or multiple individuals opened fire.
School and college pay tribute
Glenbard North High School remembered Dettloff on social media, writing that she was "not only a sweet and caring soul, but she also had a massive positive influence on our community. She respected others and made our school a better place. Her impact will not be forgotten."
Glenbard High School District 87 Superintendent Jessica Santee issued a formal statement expressing grief over the tragedy. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Bloomington this weekend and the impact it has had on members of our community," Santee said. "Our connection to students doesn't end when they graduate — they will always remain part of our school community." She described the shootings as "senseless" and said the district's priority was supporting students, staff and families while respecting the privacy of those directly affected.
North Central College confirmed that Dettloff was a member of its cheerleading team. College President Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá said in a statement: "On behalf of the College, I offer my deepest condolences to her family, friends, teammates, and classmates. No words can ease the pain of her loss, but please know that we mourn with you and are here to support you. Our hearts are also with those injured in the shooting and their loved ones."
Mayor condemns gun violence
Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady condemned the attack. "Any type of gun violence is too much gun violence," Brady said. "Any shots are too many shots."
Police appeal for witnesses and footage
Bloomington police are appealing for anyone who attended the Halloween party, or who has photos or video from that night, to come forward. Investigators are specifically seeking footage or other evidence from the area bounded by Center Street to Franklin Avenue and Emerson Street to Apple Street. Those with information can contact police at 309-434-2532 or by emailing [email protected].
Source: Google News MT