Seven people were shot, two of them fatally, at a New Year’s Day party in Kankakee, Illinois, police reported. Authorities responded around 4:05 a.m. Wednesday to a home on 1845 Pierson Parkway after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found a large crowd at the house, with many fleeing the scene. Four individuals with gunshot wounds were taken to local hospitals, and three more arrived at the hospitals later.
Twenty-year-olds Quaysean T’Andre Isom of Kankakee and TreVontae C. Ellis of Pembroke Township were pronounced dead at the hospital. The conditions of the other victims have not been released, but officials confirmed that three women and two men were injured.
Police arrested one suspect hiding near the home, and two firearms along with multiple shell casings were found at the scene. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police are continuing to investigate whether other suspects are involved. City officials stated that the party had been ongoing for several hours into the early morning and had been loud enough to disturb the neighborhood, prompting requests for attendees to leave. Authorities also mentioned that many partygoers are not cooperating with the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact KanComm at (815) 933-3324 or the Detective Bureau at (815) 933-0426.