Two people died, and at least five others were wounded, including a police officer, after an armed man opened fire in a mall in Boise, Idaho, on Monday afternoon, police said.
According to the Boise Police Department, the shooter was detained and taken into custody after engaging in a gunfight with police. The shooter, who is believed to have acted alone, was also injured during the gunfight.
As of Monday night, the suspect remained in critical condition. However, the officer who was wounded in the gunfight has been released from the hospital in stable condition.
Authorities have not yet revealed any information on the identities of the victims or the shooter. Police have cleared most of the mall by 4:30 p.m. local time, in a continuous effort to find any additional threats or citizens. In addition, cops have contacted the families of victims after the incident.
Video footage shared on Twitter shows loud gunshots echoing through the mall as cops surrounded the area. The footage was apparently taken inside of the mall. Gripped by fear, shoppers ran to the nearest businesses to take cover.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean, in a statement, appreciated the storekeepers’ efforts of offering panicked patrons shelter during the terrifying moment.
“I want to thank the shopkeepers, the people in the mall that reacted so quickly to take care of those who were there,” she said. “You showed in a tough and chaotic moment how much you care and what you’re willing to do to care for strangers.”
In addition, McLean also thanked cops as well as first responders for helping so many people that were scared in a challenging moment. Meanwhile, Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s office told CBS 2 that he is aware of the situation and is receiving updates.
Statement from the Boise Police Department regarding the shooting.
