BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (IUSTV News) – The Bloomington Police Department is investigating after a man was found dead Tuesday night with an apparent gunshot wound in a tent near a homeless shelter.
Officers responded to the Wheeler Mission on Westplex Avenue around 1:45 p.m. for a report of a man who had been shot.
When police arrived, they located a 52-year-old man inside the tent near the Wheeler Mission with what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Bystanders told police that they heard multiple gunshots before calling 911.
Police have not yet made an arrest, but say that they believe the suspect and the victim, who has not yet been identified, knew each other.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson released a video statement Tuesday night on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We are deeply saddened by this event, and we are grateful that our police have secured the area and are caring for those who are still in that encampent.”
A message from Mayor Kerry Thomson. pic.twitter.com/U6lHR8yAEq
— City of Bloomington, IN (@citybloomington) January 10, 2024
This is the second death in the homeless encampment since December.
Last month, 31-year-old Shaquille Phillips was found dead with what police said were injuries “consistent with being cut and/or struck by a sharp object.”
42-year-old Craig Pearson was arrested and charged with murder a short time later. He is currently being held in the Monroe County Jail. Online court records show he will be back in court for a pretrial conference on Jan. 16.
