At least 10 people were injured after a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, with police saying the incident began after an argument between two groups.
The shooting followed a dispute inside the mall’s food court, with authorities confirming that a search is underway for at least one suspect.
Police added that there have been no reports of fatalities so far.
Police say incident was ‘targeted’
Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr said surveillance footage indicates the violence was not random.
“Two groups of people got into an argument inside the food court and started shooting at each other,” Morse said, adding, “Unfortunately, there were some innocent people that were in the area that might have also caught some rounds.”
Morse Jr said the police received reports of gunfire at around 1:22 pm local time and responded with a “massive law enforcement and medical response,” involving multiple agencies including the sheriff’s office, state police and the FBI.
Authorities said officers secured the scene quickly and began treating victims before emergency medical services transported them to hospitals within minutes.
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Victims include bystanders
Officials confirmed that 10 victims were taken to local hospitals, with some transported by EMS and others arriving in private vehicles. Police said the victims sustained “various level of injuries,” though the exact extent remains unclear.
CNN reported that while the shooting appeared targeted, bystanders were also caught in the crossfire. Police added there is currently no known ongoing threat to the public.
Witnesses describe panic inside mall
A store associate at Hot Topic told CNN that people began running when shots rang out, with several individuals taking shelter inside the store while waiting for evacuation instructions.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the response.
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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said he was aware of the situation and coordinating with law enforcement, urging the public to avoid the area.
The mall, described by CNN as the largest in Louisiana, opened in 1997 and had begun operations at 11 am local time on Thursday before the incident unfolded. It has since been closed as investigations continue.
Police said the situation is under control but the investigation remains ongoing, with further updates expected.
