The University Police Department is continuing efforts to connect suspects arrested by Charleston police for an off-campus shooting to reports of another shooting, on-campus, the same night.

Chicago resident Marc D. Griffin, 21, and undeclared sophomore Crystal P. Lovemore, 19, 1151 Johnson Ave., were arrested Oct. 24 and are informally charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, which by state statutes occurs when, “a person … knowingly or intentionally discharges a firearm at or into a building he knows is occupied and the firearm is discharged from a place or position outside that building.”

Coles County State’s Attorney Steve Ferguson said conviction of those charges, a Class 1 Felony, could entitle a sentence of anything from probation to imprisonment.

They could receive additional charges if related to a campus incident that reportedly followed an altercation in Lantz Arena.

A junior English major, who wanted to remain anonymous, witnessed the fight at the First Annual Johnetta Jones Memorial Homecoming Step Show in Lantz Arena. The witness said Griffin and Lovemore had a conflict with a resident of a home in the 1500 block of 12th Street during the show.

The verbal conflict then turned physical, the witness said.

“They started fighting, friends jumped in and then the girl and her boyfriend (Lovemore and Griffin) ran out.”

“The other people tried to follow them, but the people at the door wouldn’t let them leave right away.”

Around 10:13 p.m. Friday, the UPD received reports of shots fired in the E-lot near Lantz. Officers found a vehicle with a window shot out in the parking lot, according to the police report, but were unable to apprehend the shooter.

The Charleston Police Department received a shots-fired report a little over an hour later from 1514 12th Street.

Police affidavits said six people were present at the residence the time of the shooting.

Amral L. Johnson, junior sociology major and an Eastern football cornerback, Benjamin P. Lorne, sociology major, and William G. Bumphus, psychology major and former Eastern football wide receiver, who reside at the home were present.

Also at the home were Kyle E. Hill, former Eastern basketball guard from Bollingbrook; Jeff Clemins of Hickory Hills; and undeclared freshman Scott D. Bennett, a current member of Eastern’s football team.

Charleston Police officers arrested Lovemore and Griffin near Domino’s Pizza on Lincoln Avenue and Seventh Street shortly after they began investigating the 12th Street shooting.

According to the affidavits, police then brought those present at the 12th Street home to identify the suspects.

The affidavit also holds a written statement by Lorne, claiming a relationship between Lovemore and Johnson may have led to the incident.

Residents of the victims’ home, 1514 12th Street, declined comment.

Lovemore and Griffin posted bail and are scheduled to appear in court Monday.

City Editor Carly Mullady can be reached at [email protected].