O'FALLON, Ill. — Police in O'Fallon, Illinois, are investigating after two incidents at a Metro East bowling alley Sunday night.
Two people were shot and injured by stray gunfire when other people inside St. Clair Bowl in Fairview Heights got into a shootout Sunday night. In a news release, O'Fallon police said the shooting happened at around 9:45, and officers from multiple agencies responded.
The release said two people were in an argument in the main floor common area that escalated to gunfire. The suspected shooters left the area before officers arrived.
The victims were struck in the legs by gunfire. Their injuries were not life-threatening. Police believe they were bystanders and not involved.
Employees at the bowling alley say one of the suspects shot out a back door and escaped. They say one bullet ricocheted and hit an electronic monitor near the food stand, shattering it.
According to the release, the shooting was not the first time officers were called to the bowling alley Sunday night. Earlier in the evening, officers were called for a large fight involving juveniles. Police do not know if the fight and the shooting were related.
Police said the fighting was inside the building and in the parking lot. There were no serious injuries from the fight, and most of the juveniles involved in the fight left when officers arrived.
Police said there were social media concerns about a woman seen holding a hammer in a video posted online. The release said officers were not told about the hammer during their initial response to the fight and there were no reports of hammer-related injuries.
The bowling alley's youth director, Mike Imes was at the bowling alley with a league just an hour before the chaos. He rushed back to the scene to help. He says no employees were injured.
Imes has been working at the bowling alley for nearly 30 years and says he and other managers have already brainstormed ways to tighten security including an age minimum or even metal detectors.
"You just have to react the best way you can and secure the place as best as you can. But it's hard when you don't have a situation that's always happening, when you can secure it and take care of it. But when it's random it's kind of tough, I'm sure it's something we'll talk about to prevent what happened," Imes said.
Not even 24 hours later, the bowling alley reopened Monday morning for leagues. Imes says that's what management wanted, they didn't want people fearful of coming in to bowl. Imes says he received dozens of phone calls Sunday evening and Monday evening asking if they'd be open.
"We have a lot of leagues here. We have a high school program, junior high program and we want people to come into the building and feel safe," Imes said.
Police are still investigating both incidents and have not made any arrests.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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