NPD: SWAT team called after beating is shown on Facebook Live

Posted on October 15, 2017

The Normal Police Department sent its emergency response unit to a residence near police headquarters on Parkinson St. after authorities said a concerned social media user notified authorities about a fight being shown on Facebook Live. Police arrested one man allegedly in possession of a handgun. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Normal Police summoned their emergency response unit or SWAT team to an apartment building near police headquarters during the pre-dawn hours Sunday morning after authorities were notified of a fight being shown on Facebook Live.

Police Chief Rick Bleichner said the concerned social media user reported seeing a live video of two women beating another woman. Bleichner said investigators were able to link the video to an apartment building in the 200 block of Parkinson St.

The chief said officers knocking on the door heard what they thought was a gunshot, and the emergency response team was called.

Bleichner said crisis negotiators were not successful persuading people inside the apartment to come out, so the SWAT team forced its way in.

Authorities took into custody a man allegedly carrying a handgun. Police took him to the McLean County Jail for illegal possession of a firearm.

Bleichner said no one inside the apartment was seriously hurt, and police officers were not injured.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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