DeKALB | Police responded to an incident after seven to eight gunshots reportedly were fired early Friday behind El Charro restaurant, 145 N. Third St.

The shooting reportedly occurred behind the restaurant in DeKalb public parking lot number four at around 12:30 a.m., and at least one suspect, described as a black male wearing a black coat and do-rag, was last seen heading northbound on Second Street.

At least one victim suffered two gunshot wounds and was transported to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, according to police radio transmission reports.

“I was just inside dancing, the music cut out, a huge circle of people got pushed as we left,” said kinesiology major Mike Anderson. “They cut the show short. It was unsafe.”

Freshman accountancy major Patrick Thomas and Southern Illinois University student Anthony Lane said many fights took place.

“It was very overcrowded,” Lane said. “Several fights broke out. I was disappointed.”

Area occupants also reported hearing noise coming from the area.

“I heard something, five or six times. I looked down from the office and saw several police cars,” said Brian Walk, a designer for NIU’s Division of Outreach and Administration.

Walk was working at the building at 155 N. Third St. at the corner of East Locust Street and Third Street.

Initial reaction to the incident was mixed.

“This is not good for anybody, the community and the college students,” said Club 122 owner Paul Baggett. “It’s unfortunate something like this happened.”

Baggett voluntarily shut down his club, at 122 N. First St., at 11 p.m. due to what he called a loss of business thought to be because of the draw of clients down the street.

The event at El Charro, sponsored by 4 More Studio, allowed admittance to individuals 18 and older, but required those consuming alcohol to be 21 or older, according to the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce’s Web site.

“You’re always going to have problems with 18-year-olds and liquor,” Baggett said.

DeKalb Police were not available for comment as of 3:30 a.m. Friday.

Contributing: John Puterbaugh