Two weeks ago, multiple gunshots were fired at Eddy Street Commons during the Notre Dame v. Texas A&M game, damaging two apartments and five vehicles. Last weekend, shots were fired near the same area early Sunday morning, this time damaging a window at the Embassy Suites hotel.
According to a press release issued by the South Bend Police Department (SBPD), the Violent Crimes Unit is investigating both incidents. No arrests have been made in either case.
In a video posted to the SBPD’s facebook page, police chief Scott Ruszkowski condemned the violence. “Being decent human beings, having some decorum, having respect for other people, is the bottom line. That is the easiest solution to any of this. To go down [to Eddy Street] and display firearms, or yell obscenities or profanities at someone you don’t like, that just makes no sense to me.” Ruszkowski said.
The close proximity of these events have raised concerns about safety near Notre Dame’s campus, especially for students who live on Eddy Street.
Coco Rudge, a sophomore who has an apartment in the area, expressed concerns about her safety given the recent incidents. “The recent events on Eddy Street make me concerned for students’ safety. I will definitely have to be more vigilant late at night or when walking alone,” Rudge wrote in a statement to the Observer.
Chiara Bilant is a junior who witnessed a disturbance on Eddy Street a few weeks ago, separate from the two shootings. “My roommate and I were walking back from a friend’s place on Eddy Street … we were at Blaze Pizza and when we came outside we saw everyone running. We saw a tussle going on and heard a sound like a firework almost,” Bilant said.
After the incident, Bilant was weary of visiting the area. “[Witnessing the incident] did make me more uncomfortable or wary ... it's shocking I guess. At a place as safe as Notre Dame, you wouldn’t expect anything like that to happen,” Bilant said.
To ensure their safety, Notre Dame Police Department (NDPD) police chief Keri Kei Shibata recommends students learn about proper safety precautions and visitors opt-in to ND Alert. “We encourage people to be alert and aware of what is going on around them and to report any problems, disturbances, suspicious behavior, or other concerns immediately so we can address them before they become bigger,” Shibata wrote in a statement to The Observer. “It is also important that people follow the instructions of the event, parking, and security staff.”
NDPD did not issue an ND alert during the two disturbances, nor did they provide students with information about the events.
“A statement would be nice, just so people would know what’s going on and there’s no uncertainty … if they neutralize the threat that's great, if not, that’s also important to know. Honesty would be great,” Bilant said.
NDPD shared that they regularly take precautions during events such as home football games or high-profile lectures.
“Notre Dame Police and security staff often have specialized training and expertise depending on the situation. Aside from that, some of the other things we consider are: the layout/design of the space; the use of technology such as magnetometers (metal detectors) and CCTV; K9 sweeps before and during the event; ticketing, credentialing and other access control; and clear and no bag policies,” Shibata wrote.
Both NDPD and SBPD are deploying additional police forces during football games, and SBPD shared in the press release that 13 unrelated arrests were made on or near Eddy St. commons this weekend as a result of increased police presence. Separate from the aforementioned incidents, officers confiscated four firearms in the area.
“South Bend Police had an increased presence in Eddy Street Commons and surrounding areas before, during and after yesterday’s football game. This was in response to last weekend’s disturbances and gunfire in the same area,” SBPD’s press release read.
Eddy Street is not technically part of NDPD’s jurisdiction, which is “generally within the boundaries of Angela Boulevard, Indiana 933, Twyckenham Drive and University property immediately north of Douglas Road (including the Landings, Kindercare, and Warren golf course),” Shibata wrote.
