Multiple people injured in South Carolina mall shooting, police say

Justin Smith via AP

People walk through a parking lot at the Columbiana Centre mall in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday as police investigate a shooting at the shopping center.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Police have arrested a 22-year-old male in connection with a shooting at a busy shopping mall in South Carolina’s capital on Saturday that left 14 people injured.

Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said one of three people initially detained by law enforcement as a person of interest, remains in police custody and is expected to be charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol. It is not immediately known if the suspect has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Holbrook said in a news release Saturday night that 14 people were injured ranging in ages from 15 to 73-years-old. Nine people were shot and the other five people suffered injuries while attempting to flee the mall for safety, police said.

The 73-year-old victim is the only person who continues to receive medical treatment, according to police. All the other victims have been treated and released or will be released shortly, the news release said. No fatalities were reported.

According to The State news site in Columbia, Columbia Police Deputy Chief Melron Kelly said some people might have been trampled after shots were fired.

Officers were “going store to store and closet to closet searching for someone with a weapon,” Kelly said.

The mall parking lot was closed as emergency vehicles swarmed the mall area. A reunification site for loved ones was staged.

Law enforcement officers carrying long guns and wearing camouflage vests were seen walking into Dave & Busters at the mall.

For continuing developments in this story, read here:

— Tribune News Service contributed to this report.

AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins

The Columbiana Centre mall in Columbia, S.C., is seen in this 2016 file photo.