Parkland College on Lockdown After Nearby Shooting

Three male suspects remain at large following incident near campus

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois has been placed on lockdown after a shooting occurred on the corner of Mattis Avenue and Parkland Way, just off the college's campus. Police are searching for three male suspects who were reportedly seen fleeing the scene on foot wearing black clothing.

Why it matters

Campus safety is a top priority for colleges, and lockdowns are a serious measure taken to protect students, faculty, and staff in the event of a potential threat. This incident has disrupted normal operations at Parkland College and raised concerns about security in the surrounding area.

The details

According to a release from Parkland College, the shooting occurred off campus, but the college has enacted a lockdown as a precautionary measure. All afternoon classes have been cancelled, and the main campus will remain open with visitors encouraged to use the Bradley Avenue and Duncan Road entrance to the south.

  • The incident occurred around noon on March 4, 2026.
  • Parkland College announced the lockdown at around 12:00 p.m.
  • At 12:19 p.m., Parkland announced the lockdown would continue and afternoon classes were cancelled.

The players

Parkland College

A community college located in Champaign, Illinois.

Three male suspects

Individuals who were reportedly seen fleeing the scene of the shooting on foot and are currently at large.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'Police continue to respond to incident on Mattis Ave and that facility remains on lockdown. Please continue to avoid the area.'”

— Parkland College (Parkland College social media)

What’s next

Police are continuing to search for the three male suspects and investigate the shooting incident. Parkland College has stated the main campus will remain open, but the area near the shooting should be avoided.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of campus safety protocols and the need for colleges to be prepared to respond quickly to potential threats in order to protect their students, faculty, and staff.