Police: 3 shot at party near U of I, including Illini linebacker

[November 14, 2011]  URBANA (AP) -- Urbana police say a gunman fired into a crowd gathered on a patio for a large house party near the University of Illinois and wounded a starting linebacker on the school's football team and two others.

Lt. Bryant Seraphin of the Urbana police said the shooting left two victims hospitalized in unspecified condition. He said the third person was treated and released. All of the victims are in their 20s.

Seraphin said a fight precipitated the shooting.

But Illini coach Ron Zook said none of the Illini players were involved in the fracas and that wounded Trulon Henry had gone to the gathering to clear out the players after hearing the gathering had turned turbulent.

Zook said Henry will miss the rest of the regular season.

Authorities were searching for the gunman.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.