Safety on Eddy Street remains a top concern as Notre Dame hosts first football game since last shooting

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Only three weeks ago, a shooting on Eddy Street left a teenage girl injured, as well as a South Bend officer that was struck by a ricochet. Just hours later, a triple homicide occurred on Bissell Street, though it's unknown if the two shootings were related.

These shootings happened during and after Notre Dame's home football game against Michigan State, just blocks away from campus.

Saturday marks the first home game since the attacks and South Bend Police report they are amping up security presence.

"The South Bend Police Department, University of Notre Dame (including NDPD), and Kite Realty meet, and have met regularly for years, to discuss gameday safety – including Eddy Street Commons (ESC). Those conversations have become more frequent in the wake of an incident at the ESC on September 19, 2026," said Chief Scott Ruszkowski

"While the SBPD does not publicly discuss strategies, tactics, or safety measures, regular visitors to ESC will notice a continued and increased police presence plus other measures aimed at making the ESC and surrounding areas an enjoyable and safe space for gameday experience and events."

We've reached out to Notre Dame Public Safety for comment but were told Eddy Street is out of their jurisdiction.

We've also been in contact with Kite Realty – a real estate group that owns Eddy Street Commons but they preferred to not give a statement.

A strict midnight close has been implemented for all restaurants and bars on Eddy Street, and it's part of a larger response to keeping the streets safe.

O'Rourke's, a large restaurant and bar on the corner of Eddy Street, says safety is the top priority.

Navarre Hospitality owns O'Rourke's and Vice President Matthew Soutra tells ABC57 News he's expecting to see an increase in police presence on Saturday.

"We want our patrons to feel safe when they come down to Eddy Street and want our staff to feel safe when they come down on Eddy Street," Soutra says.

"We really believe that the South Bend Police Department is genuinely doing everything they can in order to mitigate the instances as much as possible. There was a heavy police presence on Eddy Street that night, and from what it sounds like, there's going to continue to be an even heavier police presence in the area."

There is also a safety plan intact in the event that a similar situation happens, and Soutra shares that workers have a direct line to South Bend police and can talk to them through walkie talkies.

Notre Dame Campus Safety sent an email to students Wednesday, saying they're working "Closely with local law enforcement to prepare for the rest of the semester, including during home football game weekends."

But many locals and Notre Dame students feel safe on Eddy Street.

"I haven't really heard much about people being nervous to be out," Notre Dame senior Sarah Saad said.

Mike Steinfled, a Notre Dame fan that has driven from St. Louis to South Bend for decades says he wouldn't think twice about letting his grandkids out in the area.

"I would feel fine with that," Steinfeld says.

"Knowing what I know [and] being up here all the time, it is very safe. I can't stress that enough. It only takes 1 or 2 times, which has happened here in the last couple of years, and ruins everything for everybody. This is a family atmosphere, always has been and always will be. That's what Notre Dame's about."