Three students have been rushed to hospital after a shooting unfolded close to the University of Iowa campus in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Bullets were fired after a large street fight broke out as partygoers poured into the downtown area of Iowa City around 1.46am, police said. No arrests have been made.
Video shared on social media shows a mass brawl unfolding on the 100 block of East College Street, five blocks away from the college campus.
Screaming rang out as several people threw punches at each other in the street. The footage then cut to a person being treated on the ground by EMTs.
University of Iowa President Barb Wilson said that three students were injured amid the carnage.
'I am writing to you with a heavy heart,' she said in a statement issued to students and staff by the college on Sunday.
'Early today, a shooting in downtown Iowa City injured three University of Iowa students.'
Iowa City Police Department confirmed that 'multiple victims' were taken to hospital 'to be treated for wounds suffered in the shooting'.
Multiple people have been rushed to hospital after shooting unfolded close to the University of Iowa during the early hours of Sunday morning
The University of Iowa issued an emergency alert just before 3am, urging students to avoid the downtown area close to East College Street and Clinton Street
'No information on their conditions is available at this time,' the department said.
Iowa City Area Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about the incident that leads to an arrest.
The University of Iowa issued an emergency alert just before 3am, urging students to avoid the downtown area close to East College Street and Clinton Street.
'Situation Update: First responders on scene. Confirmed victims. Please continue to avoid the area,' one of the alerts read.
University of Iowa President Wilson said the college is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident and share more information as it emerges.
'For now, I encourage you to rely on official university communications for updates,' she said in her statement.
'While we await additional information, I am thinking about these students and their families, friends, and all the people who care about them.
'I am holding them close in my thoughts, along with everyone in our community who is hurting or feeling shaken right now.'
Pictured: The University of Iowa, located a few blocks away from the scene of the gunfire
Pictured: The street where the chaos unfolded overnight in Iowa City close to the college
The university shared helplines for students who needed support following the traumatic incident.
Police asked anyone with information on the shooting, including video footage, to contact Detective Cade Burma at cburma@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5275.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers.
The Daily Mail has contacted the Iowa City Police Department for more information.
This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.
