Mall Of America Suspect Fled After Reports Of Shooting: Police

BLOOMINGTON, MN — Police said they have secured the Mall of America in Bloomington after the building went into lockdown Thursday afternoon following reports of a shooting. The suspect fled on foot and escaped, authorities said.

No injuries have been reported. The Mall of America lifted its lockdown just before 6:30 p.m. However, the mall will remain closed for the rest of the day, authorities said.

UPDATE: Mall Of America Shooting: Shots Fired After 'Altercation,' Chief Says

Mall guests on Level 2 were asked to wait for an escort from mall personnel, while all other guests were asked to exit the property.

Following the lockdown, SWAT crews and federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) agents were seen patrolling the area around the mall.

Police were initially alerted to the incident late Thursday afternoon.

"We are currently working an active incident inside Mall of America on the northwest side," the Bloomington Police Department said on Twitter just before 5 p.m. "Numerous officers are on scene."

In its own tweet, the Mall of America said, "There is a confirmed isolated incident in a tenant space. Please remain in the closest secure location until the lockdown has been lifted."

A number of videos posted to social media showed people fleeing the mall. One video shows a man who appears to walk into a Nike store and begin firing a gun.

Another video — posted by Andy Paras, a news director from Indiana — shows people fleeing Nickelodeon Universe. In a different video from Paras, a loudspeaker can be heard telling people who are "not currently in a secure location" to "seek shelter immediately."

The Mall of America, which opened in 1992, is among the largest malls in the world. Each year, an estimated 40 million people from around the world visit the mall.