A shooting at a mall in Little Rock, Arkansas, sent shockwaves through crowds of Black Friday shoppers today.
Gunfire erupted at the Park Plaza Mall on Friday afternoon, triggering a panicked evacuation and fears of an active shooter.
Police said they responded to a call about an ‘active aggressor’ at about 1:45pm local time.
According to preliminary reports, two people who knew each other exchanged gunshots inside a store.
Three people were injured. Their conditions remain unknown.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr condemned the violence in a statement on Friday afternoon.
‘The careless, senseless and criminal actions of two individuals today jeopardized the lives and safety of residents and visitors.
‘We are praying for the victims of this incident and are hopeful they make a full recovery.
‘Gun violence is unacceptable at any time or in any place,’ he said.
Park Plaza Mall was evacuated after reports of shots fired inside on Black Friday
Emergency services were seen outside the Little Rock shopping center on Friday
‘We trust those responsible for this will be held fully accountable for their dangerous and reckless decisions.’
Images from the scene show a large police presence as well as medical personnel outside the shopping center.
It remains unclear if there are anyone was injured in the shooting or of any arrests have been made.
Police have urged people to avoid the area.
Holiday shoppers who were at the mall took to social media to say they were evacuated after shots were fired inside the shopping center.
‘We just ran out of Park Plaza Mall after shots were fired,’ shopper Brittany Shannon wrote on Facebook.
‘Not sure where or how many injured but needless to say we are done shopping for the day.’
‘PLEASE AVOID PARK PLAZA MALL!’ added Claudetta McElhaney on Facebook.
‘My hubby just called and said about 25 to 30 police at Park Plaza Mall. Please avoid the area and lift prayers!’
