VENICE, Illinois — Noots Lounge in Venice, Illinois, was closed on Tuesday.
The parking lot in the small town of 1,500 people was empty, and only the sounds of passing cars on Broadway could be heard.
Police said shortly after 1 a.m. on Nov. 24, 12 people were shot inside and outside of the building when a hail of gunfire ripped across the business on Broadway.
"It's insane and it's a shame," said Ken Truitt, who runs a barbershop next door. "That's almost a massacre. Could have been."
Two weeks ago, 5 On Your Side tried to learn more information, but Venice police Chief Kevin Knox would not confirm a shooting occurred, only saying that there was an "ongoing investigation."
5 On Your Side asked for a police report under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and received it this week.
A lengthy police report featured notes from interviews with several of the victims, who said a fight started inside the lounge and spilled outside before bullets started flying.
A crowd of people ran for their lives.
A total of nine men and three women were shot.
'Thank God everybody's alive," added Truitt.
Truitt's barber shop next door has been in Venice for 10 years.
His daughter left the lounge before the gunshots popped off.
"I'm grateful. I'm grateful I wasn't here, too. The area is normally good. The owner's a good person," added Truitt.
"It's just unbelievable that nobody was killed," said Alfrado Mason, a longtime Venice resident. "You're supposed to be safe where you stay, you know, especially if you pay taxes."
The lounge owner declined to talk on camera.
The mass shooting happened about a mile away from the Venice Police Department and City Hall.
5 On Your Side's Robert Townsend went to Venice to try to talk to the police chief about the shooting.
Knox's police car was parked in his designated space. However, Knox said he was not available to talk on camera.
During a telephone conversation he said, "It's an ongoing investigation and at this time there's nothing further to discuss."
Mayor Tyone Echols said, "The police chief was advised by counsel not to talk right now."
Echols also said he wasn't available Tuesday but "could share my concerns tomorrow."
The police report also states when officers arrived at the shooting scene, "the suspect was gone upon arrival."
Authorities did not say whether anyone had since been arrested.
"I would just say let's have somebody in custody. We got to have our streets and community safe," said Truitt.