Police searching for suspects in O’Fallon bowling alley shooting that injured two
Two bystanders were struck by gunfire after being caught in the middle of a violent altercation at an O’Fallon bowling alley Sunday night.
Both were struck in the lower extremities, but the wounds are described in a police press release as non life-threatening. Police have interviewed witnesses and are checking surveillance video to identify the suspects.
According to O’Fallon Police, officers were dispatched to St. Clair Bowl at 5950 Old Collinsville Road at 9:44 p.m. for the report of shots fired inside the building. Multiple agencies responded, including Illinois State Police, blocking Old Collinsville Road at the intersection of Ashland Avenue for nearly an hour.
Police say there was altercation between two people in the main floor common area, which led to an exchange of gunshots. The two people who were struck were transported by O’Fallon EMS to local hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
The shooters left before police arrived.
Police responded to the bowling alley earlier in the evening when large fights involving juveniles broke out inside the business and in the parking lot, the release stated.
There were no serious injuries, and it’s not known if the fights were connected to the shooting hours later.
Officers stood by entrances to the bowling alley after the shooting Sunday night. An investigator took photos of a shattered glass door on the south side of the building and immediately inside, where shards of glass covered the floor and a “welcome” sign was turned on its side.
O’Fallon police addressed rumors on social media that a female was seen holding a hammer during one of the altercations. Officer could not confirm that rumor, adding that no one reported being injured by a hammer.
Several shell casings were recovered from various locations inside the business.
The police are asking that anyone with information to contact Lt. Patrick Feldhake, at 618-624-9508 or email pfeldhake@ofallon.org.
