A suspected with a gun was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer at the Northlake Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina on Christmas Eve, Fox 46 reports.
The gunshots set off a panic in the mall just after 2 p.m., the news station reports. Three other people are being treated for injuries, but it is not clear if anyone else was shot.
Police called the shooting an “isolated incident” and not an “active shooter,” WSOC reports.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Witnesses Said They Heard About 7 Shots
Witnesses told WBTV that they heard about seven shots fired. It’s not known if all the shots were fired by the police officer or if the gunman also fired before being killed.
Shoppers buying last minute Christmas gifts raced out of stores after the gunfire erupted, the witnesses said.
Dozens of police responding to Northlake Mall.
A SWAT team was called to the mall:
SWAT has been called in. Medic staging by Arby’s. Reports of 7 shots heard near or inside @DICKS
A witness posted a video to YouTube after running from the mall:
“Somebody started shooting up Northlake mall,” the witness said in the video. “Just all of a sudden, close to where we are … People you need to get yourself together, because this is crazy. There was several gunshots going off. People started panicking, people tried to run people over. … This is not Christmas Eve, this is crazy. … The gunshots was really close to us. Tell everybody you love them, because that scared the s**t out of me.”
2. A Woman Went Into Labor During the Panic & Another Person Had an Asthma Attack
Ch. 9 editor at Northlake Mall when the shooting happened. He said he heard one shot, followed by several more.Then people started running.
Of the three people receiving medical aid, one was a woman who went into labor after the shots were fired, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Another person was treated for an asthma attack, and a third had a leg injury, according to the newspaper.
3. Witnesses Said the Shooting Occurred After an Argument
Northlake Mall… Gunshots fired!!!!
According to WNCN, a witness said the shooting happened near the Apple Store in the mall.
Police said there was an argument between two groups before the shooting.
Another witness told My Fox 8 that an altercation occurred before the shooting.
Witness says officer shot and killed gunman inside @ShopNorthlakeNC he heard arguing before shooting @WBTV_News
Shauntelle Hamrick, the manager of the Journeys shoe store, said a group of people “ganged up” on a man during a fight, and someone pulled a gun.
4. The Area Around the Mall Has Been Shut Down
According to reporters at the scene, entrances to the mall have been shut down..
There is heavy traffic in the area and police are asking people to stay away.
5. The Mall Opened in 2005 & Has About 150 Stores
I just ran out of Belk at Northlake mall- evacuating now
The Northlake Mall opened in 2005. It has about 150 stores, including five anchor tenants (an AMC Theaters, Belk, Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Macy’s).
The mall is located at 6801 Northlake Mall Drive, about eight miles from the center of Charlotte.
