A gunman armed with a rifle and multiple magazines of ammo killed three people and injured others before being taken down by a good guy with a gun.
In total, four people were killed, including the gunman, and three others were injured in the shooting on Sunday afternoon at the Greenwood Park Mall in suburban Indianapolis.
One of the injured is a 12-year-old girl who suffered a minor scratch on her back. The conditions of the other injured people is unknown.
The gunman was shot dead by a good Samaritan who witnessed the shooting, according to Greenwood Police Chief James Ison.
The man used a handgun to bring down the assailant. Ison said that the man who shot the gunman is a 22-year old from Bartholomew County, Indiana.
The chief said that the hero stopped the shooting almost as soon as it began.
Police believe that the shooter acted alone. At this point he has only been described as an adult male.
Four of the victims are female, one is male. Their ages range from early 20s to 30s. Officials have not speculated on a motive for the shooting.
Ison said that the shooter was armed with a rifle and had multiple magazines when he began opening fire. The mall is located around 15 miles south of Indianapolis in the town Greenwood.
The man who shot the suspect dead has been identified as a 22-year-old male
Emergency personnel continuing to work through the scene at the Greenwood Park Mall in Greenwood, Indiana
ATF officers arrive on the scene arrive at the scene of the deadly shooting
In total, four people were killed in the shooting at Greenwood Park Mall, including the gunman
The shooter was shot dead by a good Samaritan who witnessed the shooting, according to Greenwood Police Chief James Ison
The chief said: ‘It appears that he had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, entered the food court and began shooting.’
Chief Ison said that officials are studying security footage showing the moments before the shooting.
Officers were called shortly before 6 p.m. to Greenwood Park Mall, where gunshots were reportedly fired in the food court, assistant chief of police Chris Bailey said at a brief news conference earlier on Sunday.
Authorities searched the mall for any other victims or for those who may have been hiding, but Bailey said he believes the shooting was contained to the food court.
Bailey said at the press conference: ‘You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us. We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.’
James Arthur and his family, including daughter, Madison Willoughby react after exiting the mall following the shooting
Greenwood Assistant Chief Chris Bailey said at press conference: ‘You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us’
Officials also said that a suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded beside a Dick’s Sporting Goods store. It was investigated by the bomb squad before being deemed to not be a threat.
In a statement, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers thanked the good Samaritan.
The mayor said that while the shooter’s motive remains a mystery ‘we do know that someone we are calling the ‘Good Samaritan’ was able to shoot the assailant and stop further bloodshed. This person saved lives tonight. On behalf of the City of Greenwood, I am grateful for his quick action and heroism in this situation.’
While Indiana Senator Todd Young, a Republican, tweeted: ‘Terrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall. Thank you to our law enforcement officers who responded.’
Senator Mike Braun, also a Republican, said: ‘Praying for families of those killed in a senseless act of violence in Greenwood tonight, and grateful for the brave armed citizen who took action to stop the perpetrator and prevent further tragic loss of life.’
Conservative talk show host Todd Starnes said: ‘Indiana police say a mass shooter who opened fire inside the food court of the Greenwood Park Mall was taken down by a Good Samaritan armed with a handgun. Your Second Amendment at work.’
Officials also said that a suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded
In a statement, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said: ‘This tragedy hits at the core of our community
The town of Greenwood, Indiana, is located around 15 miles south of Indianapolis
One witness, Abigail, who works at the mall, told reporter Rafael Sanchez: ‘I was standing at the gate, ready to close to for the day. I heard 30 gunshots and I just saw people running towards the store. I was just letting in as many people as I could before I shut the gate.’
She added: ‘I wanted to close the gate but people kept running at me… I have three kids at home and I just wanted to get home.’
Chris Roy, the assistant manager of the Vans store in the mall, relayed a similar story to the Indianapolis Star. Roy said that when he saw people running he ‘jumped over the counter, locked the door, gathered my associates and other managers at the back door.’
Through the back of the store, the Vans staff met staff and customers from other stores through an interior hallway. In total, Roy said that he stayed hidden with around 50 other people. He added: ‘We just instructed everybody to keep quiet.’
Hours after the shooting in Greenwood, one person was killed and three others wounded in another Indianapolis suburb. This time in Beech Grove, just 11 miles from Greenwood.
That shooting took place in a park.