Multiple police departments responded after a gunman fired shots in the parking lot of Zion-Benton Township High School after a basketball game, spurring chaos for players and attendees.
The Zion Police Department and Zion Fire Rescue Department responded around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday to the school, located at 3901 21st Street in Zion.
Police officials said a shooting occurred outside of the school in the parking.
Zion was hosting Waukegan for a varsity basketball game at the time of the incident.
Police officials said 911 calls were made regarding shots fired and officers arrived within moments as they were already nearby.
Officers requested assistance from nearby police agencies due to the number of people present.
Police officials said there was no active shooter after the initial shots were fired.
Two cars were damaged and the offenders fled the scene. It is unclear if the shooting was random or targeted at a specific person or group.
No one was reported to be shot but one person was evaluated by paramedics after reportedly being trampled.
A parent said she was at the game with her two children when she witnessed a teenager jump out of a passenger side door of a silver four-door sedan and begin “unloading an extended clip.”
“I didn’t even know what to do, while everyone else was running and ducking,” the mother said.
Another witness said everyone was leaving the basketball game and kids began running back inside through the gym screaming when the shooting happened.
Detectives and officers remained on the scene investigating the incident late Tuesday.
Zion-Benton Township High School sent two messages to parents, but neither mentioned a shooting had occurred and instead only mentioned “an incident” took place.
“Please be aware that classes will resume as normal tomorrow. We will continue to work with appropriate authorities,” school officials said late Tuesday in the message.
The school will have increased police presence Wednesday and started the day on “code yellow.”
“As always, we take all matters seriously as the safety of our school community is our top priority,” the school message said.
The Zion Police Department said they are investigating several leads. The suspect was believed to be a male black wearing all black, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Zion Police Department at 847-872-8000.