Police responded to reports of shots fired inside the iconic shopping center in Minnesota
At least one person has reportedly been shot inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota on Friday evening. Shoppers were ordered to take shelter inside, as multiple police descended on the building.
“Bloomington Police and EMS are on scene of a reported shooting at the Mall Of America. MOA is on lockdown. Please stay out of the area,” police announced in a tweet shortly after 9pm local time.
The mall itself urged the visitors to “please remain in the closest secure location until the lockdown has been lifted,” in a separate tweet. About an hour later, the venue announced that the lockdown was being lifted and that “guests should now exit the property.”
At least one person was shot and killed, according to Fox Minneapolis, but authorities have yet to officially announced the number of victims, or confirm if the shots were actually fired.
🚨#BREAKING: Reports of Shooting inside the Mall of America📌#Bloomington l #MinnesotaRight now multiple authorities are responding to shots fired inside the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota reports of injuries with one victim killed the mall is currently on lockdown pic.twitter.com/5V6prUXjOR
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) December 24, 2022
Footage from the scene showed at least half a dozen police, EMS and fire department vehicles near the entrance to the building. Another video, allegedly from inside the building, captured an announcement via loudspeakers urging those “who are not currently in a secure location” to “seek shelter immediately.”
Shooter at the Mall of America #mallofamerica#lockdown#GunControlpic.twitter.com/dabndHmRf5
— Jonah Nigh (@nighjonah) December 24, 2022
The lockdown happened during a busy shopping season just two days before Christmas, and marked the third such incident over the past year. Two people were injured in a shooting at the largest US mall last New Year’s Eve, while a shooting in August caused no injuries, but also triggered panic and a brief lockdown.
