UPDATE: According to TMZ, Belvidere, IL Fire Chief Shawn Schadle announced one person was killed and over two dozen were injured. Five of the surviving victims were seriously hurt, five others suffered minor injuries, and 18 more sustained moderate injuries. All 28 were hospitalized.
On Friday night, the Apollo Theater in Belvidere, Illinois, was struck by a powerful storm that caused the roof to collapse partially during a Morbid Angel concert.
First responders were called to the scene, and although the number of injuries is unknown at this time, multiple people were seen being evacuated on stretchers to awaiting ambulances. The Boone County Coroner was also called to the scene. The collapse occurred at approximately 8 p.m., during a tornado-warned storm that was affecting the area.
A video from the scene showed people screaming for help as others tried to reach victims. The theater was filled with concertgoers who had come to see Morbid Angel and opening acts Crypta, Skeletal Remains, and Revocation.
The National Weather Service had warned of strong winds, projecting them to reach up to 75 mph, and the storm had downed power lines and trees throughout the northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin region.
At 9:52 p.m EST., Morbid Angel’s Facebook account posted a message, saying, “Tonight’s show is canceled due to a tornado that hit the venue. We ask anyone who is still traveling to the venue to please seek shelter and stay safe. We are currently sheltering in place, and want to extend our support and hope that everyone at the show tonight is safe.”
Morbid Angel is a nationally touring death metal band that was founded in 1983, releasing albums such as Altars of Madness (1989), Blessed Are the Sick (1991), and Covenant (1993). The Apollo Theater is located on 104 N. State Street in Belvidere, which is part of the Rockford metropolitan area.
This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with those who have been affected by it. We hope everyone injured in the roof collapse makes a full and speedy recovery. We will also be monitoring the story as it develops.
See video of the incident below.
Roof collapses during concert by Morbid Angel at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois.
There are reports of multiple victims#morbidangel #apollotheatre #belvidere #illinois #tornado #storm #weather #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/ptmYoSkm4o
— Crime With Bobby (@crimewithbobby) April 1, 2023