Maplewood, Minnesota – A man was injured in a shooting at Maplewood Mall on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift police response and temporary closure of the shopping center. Authorities say the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the hip and was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Law enforcement officials are now searching for the suspected shooter while continuing to investigate what led to the violence inside the busy retail complex.
Incident Overview
The shooting occurred at Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave., at approximately 2:02 p.m. Sunday, according to the Maplewood Police Department. Officers and personnel from the Maplewood Fire Department responded to reports of gunfire inside the mall.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the hip. He was immediately provided medical assistance and later transported to a hospital. Authorities confirmed the injury was not life-threatening.
Police indicated the shooting stemmed from a confrontation involving a group in the lower level of the mall.
Timeline of Events
Authorities reported that a fight broke out involving multiple individuals shortly before shots were fired. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shoppers reacted to the sound of gunfire.
Two juveniles were detained at the scene, though officials have not disclosed their ages or whether they face potential charges.
The mall was closed for the remainder of Sunday as police secured the scene and conducted their investigation.
Details From Police
Police are actively seeking the suspected shooter, described as a male with a small build wearing:
- Black stocking hat
- Black jacket
- White shirt
- Black pants
Investigators have not yet confirmed whether the suspect fled on foot or in a vehicle. Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or captured video footage to come forward.
Officials emphasized that the incident appears to have been isolated and connected to a dispute between specific individuals rather than a random act of violence.
Witness Accounts
Shoppers inside the mall described moments of panic as word spread that someone had been shot.
Daria Turner, who was shopping at the time, recalled the fear that quickly moved through the building.
“People were grabbing their kids and running up the stairs. Somebody came into the store and said, ‘Hey, you guys, somebody just got shot, a little kid just got shot in the leg,’ and we were like, ‘What? So, did they catch the person?’”
Turner described the situation as terrifying, particularly given that young individuals were allegedly involved.
“Just to think that a group of kids can come in and commit a crime and run out and nobody catch them. It’s terrifying to think of.”
Another employee, Cat Vang, said it was the first time in her two years working at the mall that she had to evacuate during an emergency.
“We had to act really fast at that moment. We have our standard operating procedure policies on how to handle these type of situations, so we just handled it to the best of our ability.”
Vang credited calm and coordinated action among staff for helping shoppers exit safely.
Key Facts
- Location: Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, Minnesota
- Date: Sunday afternoon
- Time: Approximately 2:02 p.m.
- Victim Injury: Gunshot wound to the hip
- Condition: Not life-threatening
- Suspect Description: Male, small build, black stocking hat, black jacket, white shirt, black pants
- Detained: Two juveniles
Additional Context
Mall officials initially stated that the suspect had been “swiftly apprehended” and described the shooting as an “isolated incident” involving two individuals under the age of 22. However, police later clarified that the investigation remains ongoing and that they are actively seeking a suspect matching the provided description.
Incidents like this raise concerns about public safety in high-traffic retail centers, particularly on weekends when foot traffic is heavy. Law enforcement agencies often increase patrol presence in shopping districts following violent incidents to reassure the public and deter further activity.
Authorities continue to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses as they piece together the sequence of events that led to the gunfire.
Public Safety Reminder
Police encourage the public to remain alert in crowded spaces and report suspicious activity immediately. In emergency situations inside large venues, individuals are advised to:
- Follow directions from store employees or security personnel
- Move away from the source of danger if safely possible
- Avoid spreading unverified information
- Contact authorities with accurate details
Community cooperation plays a critical role in resolving cases quickly and preventing additional harm.
Conclusion
The Sunday afternoon shooting at Maplewood Mall left one man injured but expected to recover. As investigators continue searching for the suspected gunman, officials are asking for public assistance to help bring the case to a resolution.
Anyone with information or video related to the shooting is encouraged to contact the Maplewood Police Department.
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