Three people armed with firearms were arrested in connection with the shootings Saturday Saturday at the Columbiana Center, said Columbia Police Chief WH “Skip” Holbrook.  He said at least one of the three men had been shot.
“We do not think this was a coincidence,” Holbrooke said.  “We believe they knew and something led to the shooting.”
Authorities said no casualties had been reported, but that eight of the victims had been taken to hospital.  Of those eight, two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, Holbrooke said.  The victims ranged in age from 15 to 73, he said.
Daniel Johnson said he and his family were visiting from Alabama and eating at the dining area when they first heard gunshots and started seeing people running.
Johnson said people shouted for the children and their spouses, knocking on tables in the dining area as they fled.
“Everyone was trying to get out,” Johnson said.  “When I went out, you could see baby strollers overturned, people’s phones and left keys. It was a bit of a mess.”
Johnson said he picked up his wife, daughter and son and started heading out after letting the crowd escape for a while.
“My biggest thing – and not to sound selfish – was to make sure our family was well and get them out safely because this is not something we like to do on Easter weekend.”
The strong police presence continued in the area a few hours after the shot, although police officers began to leave more traffic on the streets around the shopping malls and shopping centers that are usually full of weekends.  Officers were also stationed outside a nearby hotel designated as a reunion area for people at the scene of the shooting and their families.
Workers from some shops remained concentrated in the mostly empty parking lot on Saturday night, waiting for police to let them return to retrieve their car keys and personal belongings to leave.  They said they did not hear or see anything during the shootings, but followed the mall’s alert system and were evacuated by police shortly afterwards.  They declined to give their names, citing company policies.
“Today’s isolated, irrational act of violence is extremely disturbing and our thoughts are with all those affected,” the Columbiana Center said in a statement.  “We are grateful for the prompt response and continued support of our security team and our law enforcement associates.”
The shooting is the latest in a series of shootings in or near shopping malls across the country.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the head Wednesday outside the Atlantic Terminal Mall in Brooklyn.  His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.  Officials said they were with a group of boys when they came into conflict with a second group.
On Tuesday, a shoe store owner in Southern California accidentally shot a 9-year-old girl while shooting two thieves at the Mall of Victor Valley, police said.
Earlier this month, police said six people were killed and 12 others injured in Sacramento, California, during a clash between rival gangs as they closed bars in a busy area near Downtown Commons and the State Capitol.