The incident took place on the premises of Columbiana Center Mall, said Colombian Police Chief William H. “Skip” Holbrooke. No one was killed in the shooting, he said.
Holbrooke said three gunmen were detained by police, although it is unclear how many people actually fired. Police believe the shooting was not an accidental attack, he added.
“We believe the gunmen knew each other and there was some kind of conflict that led to the shooting,” Holbrooke told a news conference Saturday afternoon. “This was not a situation where we had a random person show up at a mall to shoot a firearm and injure people.
Of the wounded, 10 received gunshot wounds, eight of whom were transported for treatment and two who transported themselves for care, according to Holbrooke.
Nine of the 12 people injured in the shooting have been released from hospital, according to medical provider Prisma Health.
“Of the 11 patients admitted to Prisma Health hospitals in the Midlands, nine have been treated and released,” Prisma Health spokeswoman Tammy Epps said Saturday night. “Two patients were admitted.
“Prisma Health is sending its thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by the Columbiana Center Mall incident, including our first responders,” Epps said.
Columbia police say another victim was taken to Lexington Medical Center. CNN contacted this hospital for information.
The oldest shooting victim is 73, Holbrooke said, and the youngest is 15.
Two of the victims are in critical but stable condition, he said, and six are in stable condition. Two people received non-gunshot injuries, which Holbrooke described as a “jump” after the incident.
Police learned of the shooting after receiving a call about a shooting at a mall near the Gap store, Holbrooke said.
“We ask the public to stay out of the area,” Holbrooke said.
Mall officials issued a statement posted by Colombian police on Twitter, saying: “Today’s isolated, senseless act of violence is extremely upsetting and our thoughts are with everyone affected. We are grateful for the prompt response and continued support of our security team and our law enforcement partners. “
Colombian police have set up a hotline to witness the shooting and are asking anyone with a video of the shooting to contact them.
“We know a lot of people have seen different things. “Please take some time, gather your thoughts and contact law enforcement,” Holbrooke said on Twitter.
The mall’s main entrance is closed, according to WIS, a branch of CNN. Parts of I-26 near Harbison, South Carolina, have been closed, WIS reported.
“Mall staff, who have been told to take shelter in a safety area, law enforcement officers will come to you as a protective escort. “DO NOT leave a store until they are told to do so by the relevant authorities,” tweeted Colombian police.
Police also asked people in the mall to call law enforcement and inform dispatchers of their whereabouts. Officers worked on the mall’s evacuation following reports of gunfire.
A reunion site has been built near the mall, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. The site is open to “those who have loved ones involved in the shooting at the Columbiana Mall,” the department tweeted.
The meeting place is the Fairfield Inn on 320 Columbiana Drive.
Authorities are urging people in the area to be careful, as this will be a “high-traffic area”.
Columbiana Center Mall is about 10 miles from downtown Columbia.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly characterized the status of three people involved in the shooting. They were detained by the police.
Add Comment