Mall of Louisiana shooting: Armed police swarm shopping centre as ‘at least 10 injured’ | World | News

A horrific mass shooting at a Louisiana shopping centre has left ten people injured after a argument between two groups in a food court escalated into an exchange of gunfire. At least one suspect is still at large with the Governor of Louisiana confirming there’s an “active shooter scene” at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

The attack unfolded at around 1.22pm local time near the food court, city police said. Two of the ten injured victims are believed to be in a critical condition. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr said surveillance footage showed it was a “targeted” attack as “two groups of people got into an argument inside the food court and started shooting at each other.

“Unfortunately, there were some innocent people that were in the area that might have also caught some rounds”, he added.

The police chief continued: “Right now, we have 10 victims at local area hospitals, some transported by EMS, and some arriving by private vehicle,” he said.

The shooting does not appear to be a random act of violence, “but a very targeted kind of disagreement between two groups of people,” Morse said.

The gunfire sent frightened shoppers running and ducking for cover in stores and dressing rooms at Louisiana’s largest mall as people warned others to “take cover” and “get down,” witnesses say.

Police say there is no known threat to the public. The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also at the scene.

Images shared online showed a massive police presence at the mall. One man said he and his wife were grateful for the quick response from the emergency services.

“I am aware of the active shooter scene at the Mall of Louisiana,” Gov. Jeff Landry said. “I am in coordination with law enforcement and we will update as we know more. Please avoid the area.”

Police said some of the victims are undergoing surgery, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed six victims were taken to hospital.

Sid Edwards, Mayor-President of East Baton Rouge Parish, said: “I’m on scene at the mall. We have set up a command post. There has been a shooting with multiple victims. All civilians have been safely escorted out of the mall. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers.”

The shooting happened just 250 miles from Shreveport, where eight children were gunned down on Sunday.

Authorities say the young victims, ranging in age from one to 14, were killed in the “domestic disturbance” at around 6am on Sunday. A total of 10 people were shot, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said.

Mr Smith said: “My heart is taken aback, I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur. This effects the entire community. We all mourn with these families,” Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux told reporters.

“It’s a Sunday morning, I ask all of you to pray at your services this morning not just for this family, but for all the victims, for the victims at the hospital, and the community at large.

“This is a tragic situation. Maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport. It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport.”