A shooting at a mall in Columbia, South Carolina, injured several people.
Authorities said the shooting took place at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon at the Columbiana Center, a one-story indoor mall.
“We have confirmed that people were injured during the incident – they are receiving medical treatment,” police tweeted. “The extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.”
The state said Colombia’s deputy police chief, Melron Kelly, said many people had been shot, but no deaths.
Thirteen people were taken for medical treatment, but it is uncertain how many of these people were injured in the shooting. Some may have been trampled after shots fired.
Witnesses reported loud popping sounds and suggested it may have been an automatic weapon.
Officers went “shop to store and closet to closet, looking for someone with a gun,” said Chief Kelly.
The search was also part of the process of clearing the mall of buyers.
The police department also published: “Law enforcement teams are strategically making sure that [Columbiana Centre] is “cleared”. No other injuries were reported. “
Mall staff were told to take shelter on the spot and wait for law enforcement officers to provide a protective escort. Those shoppers hiding in the mall were instructed to call 911 to arrange a safe passage.
The main entrance to the mall on Harbison Boulevard was closed and parts of I-26 West were also closed due to the incident.
There is a strong police presence and emergency services on site. At least one ambulance was spotted leaving the mall’s parking lot shortly after 3 p.m.
The families, who were divided in confusion, were instructed to head to the nearby Fairfield Inn on Columbia Drive to reunite with their loved ones.
The state said armed officers were spotted entering a Dave & Busters branch in the mall around 3:20 p.m.
Local news says the mall is usually very busy at this time on Saturday.
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