The famous ‘Mall of America’ in the United States went under a brief lockdown after the shooting on its premises led to huge chaos. Confirming the incident the Mall of America wrote on its Twitter handle and asked shoppers to remain in the closest secure location.
Sound of gunfire terrified shoppers on Friday night at the Mall of America, putting the mall under lockdown for about an hour.
Police as soon as getting informed about the shooting secured the scene. BPD is working with MOA Security and Hennepin County Crime Lab to process the area. The lockdown of the MOA was recently lifted. Please continue to stay out of the area until further notice.
A video that was posted on social media showed a man shouting as he walked close to a Nike store with at least three gunshots.
As per the Bloomington Police, cops and emergency medical services team arrived at the scene of the crime, where the shooting took place. The incident comes at a time when malls and shopping centers across the United States see a huge rush of passengers before Christmas.
"Mall of America is now lifting lockdown. Guests should now exit the property. Mall of America remains closed for the evening. Please stay tuned for an additional statement," the Mall of America wrote on Twitter.
1992 established Mall of America is the largest in the US and is among the most prominent tourist destination and community gathering spots.
Another set of videos which has been posted by multiple sources showed shoppers hiding in stores and an announcement was made in the mall asking people to take shelter.
Emergency vehicles were converged in the snowy parking lot outside and police could be seen putting up yellow crime scene tape near the Nordstrom store. Retailers began shutting their doors, asking people to run for safety as armed guards rushed toward Nordstrom.
A woman, who was at the mall with her 16-year-old daughter and her husband, recounted the horror with the media reporting at the sight of crime, "At first we thought they were just messing around."
A salesman at a DSW shoe store one level below the Nike store said he was near the back when he heard gunshots. “Then I saw everyone stampeding toward the back.”