Ten people were shot and injured in a shooting at a mall in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. Two other people were also injured in the scene.
Authorities do not believe it was an indiscriminate attack.
Three armed people have been arrested in connection with the shots fired at the Columbiana Center, local police chief WH Holbrook said. At least one of them had drawn a gun and fired.
“We don’t believe it was by chance,” he said. We believe these people knew each other and that something caused the shooting. »
Authorities reported no deaths. Eight people were taken to hospital. Two of them were in critical condition, Holbrook said. The victims range in age from 15 to 73, he added.
Customers and employees were evacuated shop by shop. Police have asked anyone still inside to call 9-1-1 so they can be found.
Employees of a few shops located on the edge of an almost empty parking lot said they heard or saw nothing. They obeyed the mall’s alarm signal before being evacuated by the police. They had been waiting for several hours to be able to collect their keys and other personal items.
“An isolated but very disruptive act of violence occurred today. Our thoughts are with all those affected, the mall said in a statement. We appreciate the quick response. We support our security team and law enforcement partners. »
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