CENTRALIA — An overnight report of shots fired at the American Legion in Centralia had police from multiple agencies responding as crowds of people fled the scene to only gather again in other areas of town.

The initial call came in just after 12:30 a.m., with responding Centralia Police officers reported a large number of people fleeing from the building, many flashing gang signs and screaming at each other about the incident inside.

Once inside, officers discovered a bullet hole in the ceiling and “lots of blood on the floor.”

The local hospital was notified of a possible gunshot victim, but no such injury has been reported at this time.

According to Centralia police, the large crowd at the American Legion was attending a rap music competition.

Further investigation at the scene indicates the incident reportedly took place between 21-year-old Therion Johnson, a member of the Danville street gang RudeBoys, and rival gang members from Mt. Vernon.

Johnson was reportedly on the ground and being beaten when it’s believed another person fired a shot into the ceiling to break up the fight.

As many of the people that had fled the American Legion gathered again at Party Liquor, the talk in the crowd had turned to a possible retaliatory shooting.

Additional officers and deputies were called in to help patrol the area, with Illinois State Police, and Clinton County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Sandoval, and Odin police officers responding.

Centralia, Central City, and Wamac police, as well as Marion County Sheriff’s deputies had already responded.