The gunman entered Greenwood Park Mall and began firing with a rifle, killing three people and wounding two before being fatally shot by an armed civilian, it has been announced.
Indianapolis Deputy Chief of Police Chris Bailey said, “We are sick from another type of incident like this in our country.”
WTHR news presenter Jennie Runevitch posted on Twitter: “Greenwood police confirm a shooting at Greenwood Park Mall.
“They confirm that several people were injured, including the shooter.
“The lieutenant at the scene says there are two fatalities.
“The mall is being cleaned up. Stay away from the area as agents are on the scene.”
Officers attended the mall at 6 p.m. (local time) and have been searching the mall for other victims.
However, it is believed that the incident was limited to the dining area.
Greenwood Police Department Chief Chris Ison said police had confiscated a suspicious package found in a bathroom near the dining yard.
Deputy Director Bailey added that there is no active threat to the area.
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The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) posted on Twitter: “IMPD is helping with an incident at Greenwood Park Mall.
“Please avoid the area. The Greenwood Police Department is the lead agency.
“Please avoid sharing erroneous information on social media until details are confirmed.”
Reactions on social media expressed sadness and anger over the incident, as the United States continues to struggle with another deadly shooting.
User @ Owen17396534 wrote, “It’s so sad that every time you see a trendy mall, you automatically know what happened.
“You know it was a mass shooting, you know innocent lives were taken and you know American lawmakers will do nothing to stop it.
“Victims of RIP Greenwood Park Mall.”
The head of the department, Ison, described the civilian who shot the gunman as a “good Samaritan,” ABC News reported.
So far he has been identified as a 22-year-old from Bartholomew County.
Ison said: “The real hero of the day is the citizen who was legally carrying a firearm in the dining area and was able to stop the shooter almost as soon as he started.”
He added that a 12-year-old girl who returned home after the shooting was later admitted to hospital with minor injuries.
Supposedly, four of the shooters were women and one man.