Investigators say shots were fired inside or near the VIP Club on Bond Avenue early Friday.
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — A late-night party at an event space identified as the VIP Club ended in gunfire early Friday, injuring one person and drawing officers from multiple agencies to the 4700 block of Bond Avenue, according to police who later said the venue was unlicensed.
Authorities said the incident unfolded shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, when calls reported shots at the club in the Metro East community south of St. Louis. The Cahokia Heights Police Department led the initial response, with neighboring departments assisting as the scene was secured and detectives worked to determine where the gunfire started and who was involved. The Illinois State Police forensic team was called in to process evidence. As of Saturday, no arrests had been announced, and officials had not publicly identified the wounded person or detailed the severity of the injury.
Officers cordoned off the parking lot and parts of Bond Avenue while investigators photographed shell casings and searched for surveillance video. One person was taken for medical treatment, police said. A camera crew at the scene observed units from Cahokia Heights, Fairmont City and Sauget supporting the response while crime scene technicians worked into the morning. Police did not release a suspect description. Detectives were also working to confirm whether the gunfire started inside the club or spilled into the lot as guests tried to leave after the holiday gathering.
City officials said the VIP Club was not licensed to operate as a nightclub, raising questions about security staffing, occupancy and oversight during the Christmas night event. Records show Illinois State Police Forensic Services often assists smaller agencies in evidence collection at complex scenes, including shootings with crowded venues and multiple witnesses. The Bond Avenue corridor has a mix of commercial storefronts and homes, and residents reported seeing flashing lights and barricade tape along the block as the investigation stretched past dawn.
Investigators spent hours documenting the layout of the space and recovered physical evidence for lab analysis. Police canvassed nearby businesses for video and asked attendees to provide statements about what they saw or heard, including whether any arguments preceded the shots. Officials did not say how many rounds were fired or what kind of weapon was used. As of Saturday, officers were still tracking leads tied to event promoters and building management to clarify who booked the party and how it was advertised.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene as people ran from the building and vehicles rushed away from the lot. “We heard a series of pops and then saw folks ducking behind cars,” said Johnnie Walker, who lives nearby. A business owner along Bond Avenue said he arrived to find patrol cars from several jurisdictions blocking the street and officers using flashlights to search the curb line. A woman who said she attended the party but declined to give her name said music stopped “all at once” before people shouted that shots had been fired.
As of Saturday afternoon, police said the investigation remains active. Detectives plan to review additional video and await forensic findings before determining potential charges. Officials said any updates, including the condition of the injured person or the release of a suspect description, will be provided as they become available.
Author note: Last updated December 27, 2025.