Police: No victim found in shooting at Mall of America; no suspects arrested

By KSTP and Associated Press contributed to this report

Bloomington police confirm that gunshots were fired at the Mall of America (MOA) in suburban Minneapolis, but say no victim has been found. No suspect has yet been arrested.

In a press conference at 8:00 p.m., Bloomington Police said an altercation started around 4:15 p.m. between two groups near the cash register of the Nike store. One group left, but circled back to fire at least three shots at the store before running away.

Police had secured the mall by 5:40 p.m., lifting the lockdown Bloomington Police said they were in the process of removing the lockdown at the MOA. In a Tweet, they said once the lockdown was lifted, the mall would remain closed. They are still searching for a suspect.

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Mall of America Tweeted that the lockdown has been lifted. They asked that shoppers on Level 2 wait for an escort from Mall personnel. Officials say the mall will remain closed for the rest of the evening.

Video posted to social media showed what appeared to be a man shouting as he walked near the complex’s Nike store, with at least three apparent gunshots.

The Bloomington Police Chief, Booker T. Hodges, said officers responded to the Best Western hotel nearby, where the suspects were believed to have gone, but officers did not find them there.

No confirmed injuries were reported. Police were searching for two young adult suspects, but Hodges said no arrests had been made as of Thursday night.

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Mall of America remained closed for the rest of the night, but mall spokesman Dan Jasper said the building will reopen Friday morning with increased security.

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“People come to the mall every single day to create memories, to have fun, to spend time with their families and their loved ones, and I can’t imagine how traumatic an event like this is for them,” Jasper said. “We’re grateful that due to the quick action of law enforcement and mall security that nobody was seriously injured today.”

Police said this was an isolated incident and there is no immediate threat to the public.

Anyone with information is asked to call 952-563-4900.

EARLIER STORY:
Police are responding to a possible shooting at the Mall of America in Bloomington. Mall of America spokesman Dan Jasper confirmed that the mall was locked down Thursday afternoon but had no other details. The mall later tweeted that the “incident” was “isolated” to one store without providing additional information.

MOA officials Tweeted, “For all guests, please stay in the closest secure area until the lockdown is lifted.”

According to Hubbard Broadcasting sister station, KSTP, law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired.

Bloomington Police confirmed on Twitter that multiple units were called to the Mall of America around 4:30 p.m. and were working an “active incident” on the northwest side. The mall confirmed that it is on lockdown.

According to the Associated Press, video posted to social media showed what appeared to be a man shouting as he walked near the complex’s Nike store, with at least three apparent gunshots. Other video showed shoppers fleeing from the amusement park on the giant mall’s ground level, holding their children’s hands and clutching their bags.

At 5:02 p.m. the Mall of America posted on Twitter that they were currently under lockdown, with a confirmed isolated incident.

Still other video showed a pair of police officers, including one with a rifle, moving through the mall, and people walking quickly away from the mall’s large interior atrium area.

The mall, which opened in 1992, is the largest in the U.S. and is a tourist destination and community gathering spot.

The Mall of America bans guns on its premises, according to its website. The mall does not have metal detectors and shoppers are not searched upon entry. It was the scene of a shooting on New Year’s Eve, when two people were wounded during an apparent altercation.