Western Illinois University canceled all in-person and online classes after a freshman student allegedly shot his roommate in one of the school’s residence halls.
The shooting occurred Tuesday night at about 10:30 p.m. inside the dorm that 18-year-old Kavion Poplous shared with his roommate. Police said Poplous then fled the campus, located in Macomb, Illinois. Poplous turned himself in to authorities Wednesday afternoon in Chicago and was taken into custody by the FBI, according to the Quad-City Times.
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Poplous was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and aggravated discharge of a firearm. The victim, who has not been publicly identified, reportedly underwent surgery, although his condition is not known. Officials said they would release more information “as soon as his parents let us know.”
WIU interim President Martin Abraham thanked law enforcement personnel, first responders, “and so many others, who worked quickly to ensure our students’ safety,” following the shooting.
“Our thoughts are with our student who remains hospitalized, and we pray for a speedy recovery,” he said in a statement.
It is unclear what might have provoked the shooting, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
