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2 Teens Shot At Downtown Peoria Birthday Party

A police car's lights, which are on. The text "WCBU Police and Fire" are laid on top of that photo.

Peoria police say two teenage girls were shot at a birthday party Friday night.

Police were called to the area of Fayette Street and Madison Avenue in downtown Peoria just after 10 p.m. on reports of an injured person. While heading to the scene, police were told a second shooting victim had already been dropped off at the hospital.

Peoria Police officer Amy Dotston said a crowd of more than 100 people was found at the scene. A 15-year-old victim was taken to the hospital, where officers confirmed another 14-year-old was being treated for a gunshot wound to the foot. Both face non-life threatening injuries.

Information gathered at the scene pointed police to the Peoria Women's Club at 301 NE Madison Ave. The venue was rented out for a kid's birthday party. A partygoer told police a fight broke out in the crowd of about 200 people. The fight spilled into the streets when shots were fired.

Police closed down Fayette from Madison to Monroe while they dispersed the crowd. Dotson said that took about an hour and required every available officer in the city, as well as reinforcements from other jurisdictions.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information including video coverage of the incident is encouraged to contact Criminal Investigations detective Politis at (309) 494-8365 or CrimeStoppers, anonymously, at (309) 673-4521. 

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Dana Vollmer is a reporter with WGLT. Dana previously covered the state Capitol for NPR Illinois and Peoria for WCBU.