Shots were fired in an Alabama mall on Thursday, injuring two and killing one as shoppers flocked to Black Friday sales.
The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. at the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.
The shooter was confirmed dead by the Hoover Police Department, with Hoover Police Capt. Gregg Rector confirming that two were injured despite previous reports of four individuals being hurt.
Rector said that the incident began with an altercation between an 18-year-old and another individual in a common area between JC Penney and Foot Action.
The teenager was shot during the altercation, Rector said. The gunman was shot by a responding police officer while fleeing the scene.
The teen was transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham with at least one gunshot wound. He is believed to be in serious condition, Rector said.
The second victim, a 12-year-old girl, was also struck though Rector did not say what her condition is, just that she was alert. She was transported to a different hospital. It is unknown if she was shot by the teen or the other gunman.
"We are devastated by the incident that happened tonight in our shopping center. We are working closely with the Hoover Police Department. While there is no current danger to our community, we will remain closed until further notice," Riverside Galleria said in a statement.
After reports appeared on social media about a shooting at the mall, the City of Hoover tweeted at 10:44 p.m that HPD had responded and had the situation under control.
The city followed up with a tweet at 12:09 a.m. to thank the police officers and paramedics who responded to the scene, saying, "Our HPD officers acted heroically and professionally tonight. Our paramedics quickly provided care with expertise. We are proud of our personnel tonight."
Our HPD officers acted heroically and professionally tonight. Our paramedics quickly provided care with expertise. We are proud of our personnel tonight.
— City of Hoover (@CityofHoover) November 23, 2018
Witnesses on scene reported hearing multiple gunshots near JC Penney, located close to the mall food court.
Tweets from individuals on the premises at the time indicate that employees in several stores near the shooting pushed shoppers away from doors and windows.
Last year, police also responded to the mall to break up multiple fights, prompting Riverchase Galleria to close 40 minutes early. The mall is the largest in Alabama.
The Jefferson County Sherriff's Department is investigating the incident.
