A shooting at a shopping mall in Columbia, South Carolina, has left multiple people injured, as a “chaotic” scene unfolded.
Authorities said the shooting occurred at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon at the Columbiana Centre, a one-story indoor mall.
Twelve people were injured and there were no fatalities, Columbia Police Department WH Holbrook said at a press conference on Saturday. Three people of interest, believed to have been carrying firearms at the time of the shooting, have been detained. Officers are now moving through the mall and checking for remaining bystanders, who sheltered in place in locked down stoors once shooting broke out.
“It’s a large mall,” he said. “We’re clearing stores one at a time.”
Witnesses reported loud popping noises and speculated it might have been an automatic weapon, though police did not comment on a weapon type.
Of the 12 injured, 10 people had gunshot wounds, while two were injured as people stampeded to escape. All are in stable condition. Victims with gunshot wounds range from age 15 to 73.
The mall covers multiple jurisdictions and prompted a swift multi-agency response, the chief added.
“Its unfortunate we have to do this, but you can tell the training paid off in this situation. It was very chaotic,” he said.
The individuals detained in the shooting appear to have known each other, and the violence is not a random mass shooting, police said.
The main entrance of the mall on Harbison Boulevard was closed off and parts of I-26 West were also closed due to the incident.
A heavy police and emergency vehicle presence was at the scene. At least one ambulance was seen leaving the mall parking lot shortly after 3pm.
Agencies ranging from local and county police to the FBI and US Marshals have assisted with the crime scene and investigation.
Families who were separated in the confusion were instructed to head to the nearby Fairfield Inn on Columbiana Drive to reunite with their loved ones.
The State reports that armed officers were seen walking into a branch of Dave & Busters at the mall at about 3.20pm.
Local news reports say the mall is usually very busy at this time on a Saturday.
