Multiple people were injured Saturday after a shooting inside a busy South Carolina shopping mall, prompting a large police response, the evacuation of the building and a search for those involved.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire at Haywood Mall in Greenville shortly before 2 p.m. Authorities said several victims suffering from gunshot wounds were located inside the mall when officers arrived.
Police quickly secured the area and began evacuating shoppers, employees and visitors from the building while emergency medical personnel treated the injured. Officials have not yet released the exact number of victims or details about the severity of their injuries.
Several individuals were detained as part of the investigation, according to authorities. Police have not announced any arrests or released information about possible charges.
Investigators said preliminary information indicates the shooting was not a random attack. Officials have not disclosed what may have led to the violence or whether those involved knew each other.
The incident caused panic throughout the shopping center as hundreds of people scrambled to escape after hearing gunfire.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes inside the mall as shoppers abandoned purchases and rushed toward exits. Some reported hiding inside stores or stock rooms while waiting for law enforcement officers to secure the building.
One shopper wrote on social media that people were running in all directions after shots rang out. The individual said customers dropped belongings and fled as confusion spread through the mall.
Others said relatives who were inside the shopping center sought shelter in back rooms as police moved through the building.
Video from the scene showed a heavy law enforcement presence surrounding the mall. Police vehicles, emergency medical units and other first responders lined entrances as authorities worked to clear the property and investigate the shooting.
Haywood Mall is one of the largest shopping centers in South Carolina and typically draws large crowds on weekends. The incident disrupted normal operations and forced businesses throughout the mall to close while officers conducted their investigation.
Authorities asked members of the public to avoid the area and allow emergency personnel to continue their work. Officers spent hours interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage and collecting evidence from inside the mall.
Police have not identified any suspects publicly and have not released information regarding a possible motive. Investigators are expected to continue examining evidence and speaking with witnesses as they work to determine what happened.
The shooting is the latest incident of gun violence to occur at a public gathering place in the U.S., where shopping centers, schools, entertainment venues and other locations have increasingly become scenes of emergency responses following reports of gunfire, per the Daily Mail.
Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and that information could change as additional facts become available.
Authorities said further updates would be released as investigators learn more about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the identities and conditions of the victims, and whether criminal charges will be filed against anyone involved.
