(The Center Square) − Police searched Thursday for at least two suspects after a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left 10 people injured and one dead.
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said officers were called to the mall at 1:22 p.m. after reports of gunfire near the food court. A large law enforcement response secured the scene, and emergency crews transported victims to local hospitals.
The severity of injuries varied. Morse said some of those hurt may have been bystanders, and earlier reports indicated at least two people were in critical condition.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage.
“At about 1:22 this afternoon police got reports of shots fired at the food court area,” Morse said during a press conference. “A massive law enforcement force came to help respond to this. They secured the scene. No more active shooting is going on. EMS transported victims within minutes.”
At time of publication Thursday afternoon, no arrests had been made.
“We found out through surveillance footage that two groups of people got into an argument and started shooting at each other,” Morse said.
Police said there was no known ongoing threat to the public, but investigators were continuing to identify and locate those responsible.
“This does not appear to be a random act of violence,” Morse said.
Gov. Jeff Landry said he had been briefed on the shooting.
“Sharon and I are praying for those affected and are grateful for a quick response by our law enforcement officials,” Landry said in a statement.
Louisiana legislators held a moment of silence.
“This kind of violence in a place where my family and so many others routinely shop is completely unacceptable,” Attorney General Liz Murill said in a social media post. “This lawlessness will not stand in Louisiana. Once these individuals are found – and I’m confident they will be – they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
