A 19-year-old man was shot and killed at the Mall of America in Minnesota on Friday, creating panic among customers at the nation’s largest shopping center. According to Bloomington Chief of Police Booker Hodges, the teen was shot “multiple times” as two groups of people were fighting on the first floor of Nordstrom, reported the Associated Press. The entire incident lasted about 30 seconds.
"“They were physically fighting then one person pulled out a gun and decided to murder somebody in the store,” Bloomington Chief of Police Booker Hodges said.
He also urged the gunman and the others involved in the brawl to turn themselves into police.
“We are going to catch you, we are going to lock you up and you are going to get an orange jumpsuit,” he said. “It’s just a matter of when it’s going to happen," Hodges was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.
“If anybody helps these people — I mean so much as buy them a Happy Meal, give them a ride we’re going to lock you up with them," he further added.
Police have not yet identified the victim but Hodges said he and Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse spoke to the victim’s relatives on Friday night, the news agency reported.
“The family here — I really feel bad for them,” Hodges said. “Their last week before Christmas and now they’re having to bury one of their loved ones.”
Opened in 1992, the Mall of America bans guns on its premises but shoppers are generally not required to pass through metal detectors. However, the mall has been evaluating its security measures, including the possibility of adding metal detectors.
The mall is expected to reopen Saturday but the Nordstrom store will remain closed.