Mall Of America Shooting: Charges Declined For 1 Of 2 Suspects

BLOOMINGTON, MN — One of the two suspects arrested in the Mall of America shooting on New Year's Eve will not be charged, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

The shooting wounded two people.

On Sunday, a 19-year-old St. Paul man was arrested because he was seen leaving the scene of the shooting with the suspect, police said. Members of the Bloomington SWAT team took the man into custody on suspicion of aiding and abetting first-degree assault.

However, authorities said there isn't enough evidence to support formal charges.

"Based on available evidence submitted to our office, it appears the shooter acted independently," the attorney's office said in a statement. "Therefore, there is insufficient, admissible evidence for prosecutors."

The suspected shooter in the case remains in custody and his case is currently being reviewed for charges, authorities said.

On Dec. 31 at about 5 p.m., Bloomington police officers and the Mall Of America security team responded to a gunshot inside the mall.

The mall was immediately put on lockdown as officers provided first aid to the two men who were shot.

One of the two victims was transported to Hennepin Healthcare with a gunshot wound in his leg. The second victim was treated by paramedics at the scene and was released with minor injuries.