Posted: 21:57, 16 April 2022 | Updated: 06:40, 17 April 2022
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Ten people were shot and two others were injured in a shooting at a mall in the South Carolina capital, which authorities said was not an accident.
Three gunmen were initially arrested in connection with the shooting Saturday night at the Columbiana Center, said Columbia Police Chief WH “Skip” Holbrook.
Jewayne M. Price, 22, will be charged with smuggling a pistol, but there may be additional charges, authorities said.
Two additional men, who were not named, were also arrested for questioning and released by police after being found not involved in the shooting.
Authorities seized a firearm in connection with the incident. Preliminary examination of the ballistic evidence collected from the scene shows that at least two different firearms were used by two suspects.
“We do not think this was a coincidence,” Holbrooke said.
“We believe they knew each other and something led to the shooting.”
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Blood spilled on the floor after a shooting that injured 12 people in a South Carolina mall on Saturday
People were seen sitting in the mall after the shooting (left) and someone was dragged into a garage (right)
Law enforcement officers appear Saturday afternoon outside the Columbiana Center in Columbia, South Carolina.
They gathered in the parking lot outside the Columbiana Center after responding to gunshots where 10 people were shot and two others were injured.
The security of the mall is seen inside the mall after the shooting
Authorities are stationed in a car park at Columbiana Center Mall
People walk through a car park at Columbiana Mall on Saturday
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.
The mall was evacuated from store to store and police urged those still in shelter to call 911 so authorities could find them.
Skip Holbrooke appears to have addressed the media on Saturday afternoon after the shooting
People seem to be evacuating the mall in Columbia on Saturday afternoon
The mall was busy with Easter weekend shoppers on Saturday when shots were heard
Employees of some shops gathered in the main empty parking lot on Saturday night said they had not heard or seen anything during the shooting, but followed the mall’s alarm system and were evacuated by police shortly afterwards.
They said they had been waiting for hours for police to let them in to retrieve their car keys and personal belongings so they could leave.
“Today’s isolated, irrational act of violence is extremely disturbing and our thoughts are with everyone who is 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.”
