Illini linebacker shot in off-campus disturbance

University of Illinois linebacker Trulon Henry was shot in the hand early Sunday during an altercation at an off-campus party and will remiss the remainder of his team’s regular season, school officials said.

Henry, a senior who previously starred at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, underwent surgery after the shooting but has not been ruled out of playing in a possible bowl game.

The 27-year-old Washington, D.C. native was one of three students with suburban ties shot about 3:26 a.m. today when an unknown suspect fired several rounds from a handgun into a crowded patio area outside an Urbana residence, police said. A physical fight preceded the shooting, according to police.

Also injured was a 23-year-old Park Forest man and a 22-year-old man from Palos Park, police said. They were not identified, but police said one is still recovering from his wounds while the other was treated and released from a hospital.

A university statement said Henry was not originally at the party, but went after teammate called and asked him to help encourage other players at the party to leave.

Henry started at outside linebacker this season after starting all 13 games at safety in 2010, when he was honorable mention All-Big 10. He is ninth on the team with 39 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions.

Henry arrived at the College of DuPage two years ago seeking a second chance at football after serving more than four years in a federal prison for his role in the armed robbery of a grocery store. He excelled on the field and off, becoming a junior college all-American and Midwest Conference East Defensive Player of the Year, as well as receiving the college’s academic excellence award.

Police say they are searching for a suspect, who fled immediately after the shooting.