2 injured after shooting at Mall of America; police say mall secured, investigation ongoing

Josh Skluzacek & Gracie Stockton

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Two people are injured after a shooting at Mall of America around 5 p.m. Friday.

Bloomington Police confirmed to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS at 5:13 p.m. that two people had been shot and officers were searching for the people responsible.

In a press conference shortly after 6:30 p.m., Deputy Chief Kim Clausen said that there were already extra patrols in place at the mall due to holiday shopping.

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Law enforcement is parked outside Mall of America after a shooting on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021.[KSTP]

At about 5 p.m., one officer patrolling near the north side of the third floor heard a single shot fired and immediately alerted mall security. Within a minute, Clausen said, the mall went into lockdown and police found a male with a gunshot wound to the leg. Officers provided aid until he was taken by Allina paramedics to Hennepin County Medical Center.

Clausen said an "altercation" between two males resulted in one shooting the other. The suspect fled the scene.

There was a second victim who was "probably grazed" by a bullet and treated on the scene, Clausen said. No one else was hurt.

A person in the mall described to KSTP’s Callan Gray what the moment was like when he heard "a loud bang."

At 5:42 p.m., police said officers had secured the scene and the mall was back to normal operations. Officers were also no longer looking for the suspects at the mall.

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Clausen said no weapon had been recovered and did not specify if anyone was in custody.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS for the latest updates on air and online.