At least 14 wounded in a mall shooting in South Carolina, US

GBNews24 Desk//

At least 14 people have been injured in a shooting at a busy shopping centre in Columbia, capital of the US state of South Carolina, and police say they have arrested a suspect.

Victims of Saturday’s shooting at Columbiana Centre, ranged from 15 to 73, according to Columbia Police Chief W H “Skip” Holbrook who added that 22-year-old Jewayne M Price, one of three people initially detained as a person of interest, remains in police custody and is expected to be charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol, reports Al Jazeera.

Holbrook said no fatalities were reported but nine people were shot and five suffered injuries while attempting to flee the mall.

Police said a 73-year-old victim continues to receive medical treatment, but the other victims have been released from local hospitals or will be released shortly.

“We don’t believe this was random,” Holbrook said. “We believe they knew each other and something led to the gunfire.”

Investigators believe that at least three suspects displayed firearms inside the mall, and are working to determine how many suspects fired weapons. Police said at least one firearm was seized.

Daniel Johnson, who was visiting from Alabama with his family, said they were eating in the food court when they first heard shots and started seeing people running.

Johnson said people were screaming, knocking over tables in the food court as they fled.

“Everybody was trying to get outside,” Johnson said. “When I was coming out, you could see baby strollers turned over, people’s phones and left keys. It was kind of a hectic situation.”

Johnson said he gathered his wife, daughter and son and began heading towards the exit after letting the crowd clear out for a bit.