(MT. VERNON, IL) — Authorities with the Mt. Vernon Police Department responded early Monday morning to a report of gunshots.  At 1:05 a.m., officers with the Mt. Vernon Police responded to 17th and Cherry after a reporting person notified them of hearing 8 to 9 gunshots in the area.  Officer interviewed residents in the area that corroborated hearing varying numbers of gunshots within the same timeframe. A casing was found at near the corner of 16th and Lamar and several more casings were found at a residence at 1507 Lamar Avenue.  Officers also located several bullet holes in an automobile parked in front of 612 S. 16th Street. That vehicle was towed as evidence. The investigation into the gunshots is ongoing.