UPDATE: Kavion Poplous turned himself in to Chicago police at 1:35pm on Wednesday and was taken into custody by the FBI. He faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm.
A Western Illinois University student was shot by another student, who then left the area, Tuesday night at Thompson Hall on the Western Illinois University campus in Macomb. In a Facebook post, school officials said police are searching for 18-year-old, Kavion Poplous, a freshman, in connection with the shooting. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Just after 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, campus security was notified of a student who had been shot in Thompson Hall. Around that time, a fire alarm was activated in the residence hall and the building was evacuated, officials said in the release. The student was taken to McDonough District Hospital before being transferred to another hospital. His condition is unknown at this time. School officials say the incident appears to be related to a roommate dispute.
As a result, the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses will be closed Wednesday. All buildings, including residence halls, will be locked. Counseling and support services are available to students, faculty, and staff. Officials said individuals needing service can call 309-298-2453. Counselors will be working with students in the halls. Officials ask anyone with information to contact 911 immediately.
As a 1990 graduate of Western Illinois University, this one really hits home. I lived on the 11th floor of Higgins Hall, which sat just across the yard from Thompson Hall. This one really hits home...