LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police say that around 4:45 p.m. on Monday, they responded to a call of multiple reports of shots fired in the area of Jefferson Mall. According to police, two people began fighting inside the mall, an altercation that then spilled over into the parking lot.
They said a male suspect pulled out a firearm and fired several shots at the victim. First responders took the teenage male victim to the University of Louisville Hospital.
In a public statement, Lt. Colonel Steve Healey said that the gun violence in the city is unacceptable. “It’s at an unacceptable level. And like I said, we’re at a mall during the holiday season, and individuals want to pick up a gun and make a decision to fire a gun at a mall during the holiday season.”
Loren Yates had a friend inside the mall during the incident and described what she experienced. “She had said that she was getting her daughter’s pictures made with Santa and that they had a run up out here because there was a shooter. And she said that they just started shooting, she heard gunshots and they got up out of there,” she explained. “Luckily, they got out of there in time.”
In his statement, Healey also expressed sympathy for the victim and the vctim’s family. “Our thoughts are with the family of the individual that’s been shot. And like said right now, they are in critical condition they’ve been transported to UofL. That’s where our thoughts are right now.” He said as soon as they could get some information on a suspect, they would get it out to the public. He asked for help from the public if anyone saw somebody fleeing from the mall during that time.
By 7 p.m., LMPD cleared and secured Jefferson Mall. LMPD says detectives are investigating the shooting incident.