Sunday, April 19, 2026

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

I am writing to you with a heavy heart.

Early today, a shooting in downtown Iowa City injured three University of Iowa students. Iowa City Police are investigating, with the full support of University of Iowa Police. 

The university is in close communication with local law enforcement and will share more information as we are able. For now, I encourage you to rely on official university communications for updates.

While we await additional information, I am thinking about these students and their families, friends, and all the people who care about them. I am holding them close in my thoughts, along with everyone in our community who is hurting or feeling shaken right now.

Moments like this can feel overwhelming. They can make a large campus feel suddenly very small. Many of you may be worried, upset, or unsure how to process what has happened. Please know that you are not alone in that.

Take time to care for yourselves and for one another. Check in with your friends, classmates, and colleagues, and reach out or simply sit with someone who may need it. Small acts of kindness and connection matter more than ever right now.

If you need support, please reach out:

If you are in immediate need of help, please call 911.

This is a difficult moment for our community. We will get through it together by caring for one another and by holding close what it means to be part of this community.

With love for all Hawkeyes, 

Barb Wilson

President

You can find additional information about the investigation on the Iowa City Police Department website.