Police Chief Addresses Illinois Wesleyan on Safety
Bloomington's police chief told the campus community that investigators see no link between a deadly East Division Street shooting and university students.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Violence
Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington addressed the Illinois Wesleyan University community on Saturday during Family Weekend about a deadly mass shooting on East Division Street on Nov. 1. Simington said the investigation has found nothing suggesting IWU students were involved, targeted, or under any ongoing threat.
Why it matters
The shooting, which occurred at a party, raised questions about safety for the university and surrounding neighborhoods. The chief's remarks aim to clarify the scope of the threat for students and families visiting campus.
Bloomington police are still collecting community information on the Nov. 1 East Division Street shooting, which investigators say could lead to an arrest and prosecution. No suspect or charges have been announced in the information provided.
The players
Jamal Simington
Bloomington's police chief, who briefed the Illinois Wesleyan community on the investigation and campus safety.
Illinois Wesleyan University
A private liberal arts university in Bloomington that invited the police chief to speak during its Family Weekend.
Illinois Attorney General's Office
The state's chief legal officer, whose Crime Victim Services Division has made resources available to victims and families affected by the shooting.
The details
Simington spoke to the university community during Family Weekend, addressing the Nov. 1 shooting on East Division Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Pedro Diaz at (309) 434-2532 or Pdiaz@cityblm.org, and a Community Evidence Submission Portal is available for digital evidence.
Timeline
Nov. 1: Deadly shooting occurs on East Division Street in Bloomington.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026: Police Chief Jamal Simington addresses the Illinois Wesleyan University community during Family Weekend.
Legal Context
The Illinois Attorney General's Crime Victim Services Division has made resources available to victims and families affected by the shooting. This places the local investigation within the state's established victim-support framework.
Students, families, and neighbors near East Division Street are advised to contact Detective Pedro Diaz with any information. The Community Evidence Submission Portal allows residents to submit digital evidence related to the incident.
The takeaway
Residents who witnessed or recorded anything relevant to the Nov. 1 shooting can help investigators by reaching out directly to the detective or the evidence portal.
Further reading
Explore more reporting on Violence coverage across Bloomington for context on local incidents.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WMBD 31 Peoria.
