No gun found after report of armed person near Campustown bar triggers U of I alert

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - No gun was found after the University of Illinois Police were called to a Campustown bar early Tuesday morning for reports of an armed person.

The call triggered an Illini-Alert notification to be sent out.

At 12:11 a.m. Aug. 19, UIPD officers stopped at The Red Lion, 211 E. Green St., Champaign, to talk with employees when a security manager reported a safety concern.

The security manager told officers there had been an fight in the bar and that one of the people involved fled the area and was possibly armed with a firearm.

While speaking with officers, the security manager pointed out two men involved at the end of the street. Officers searched the men, but no guns were found.

As officers continued speaking with the two men, additional officers spoke with the victims of the altercation, who had reported the gun to security. During the conversation, the victims told officers that a third person ran to the Towers at Third parking garage, 302 E. John St., Champaign.

Officers searched the parking garage while others continued to speak with the victims, who later changed their initial statements. The victims admitted they had not seen a gun but said the suspect’s actions implied they had one.

With updated information and the determination that the suspect was no longer in the area, an all-clear notification was issued.

The investigation is ongoing, and UIPD investigators are reviewing security camera footage in the area.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216. Witnesses may remain anonymous by calling Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (373-TIPS), by visiting 373tips.com or by providing information through the P3 Tips mobile app available on iOS and Android. All messages to Crime Stoppers are electronically stripped of identifying information and forwarded to police by an independent third party.