A fight between two groups of young people at a shopping mall in Dearborn, Michigan escalated into gunfire Friday, killing two people and wounding a third, according to police.
The violence broke out at Fairlane Town Center, sending shoppers running in all directions. Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said the chaos even resulted in a person being struck by a vehicle outside the mall while trying to get away.
Shahin made clear this was not a random attack — the two groups had a prior connection, and when they crossed paths inside the mall, a physical fight broke out before weapons were drawn. Both groups were found to have been carrying handguns, he said.
One of the victims died at the scene inside the mall, while the second died at a nearby hospital. Information on the third shooting victim has not been released by authorities.
Several individuals believed to be connected to the altercation were brought in for questioning at the police station, though no arrests had been made as of Friday.
Video that circulated on social media appeared to capture the moment panicked shoppers fled the mall as gunshots rang out.
The entire mall was evacuated following the shooting, and police planned to keep it closed while their investigation continued.
Fairlane Town Center is home to more than 125 stores and restaurants, according to its website.
Dearborn is a community of more than 100,000 residents located roughly 9 miles — or about 15 kilometers — west of Detroit.
Michigan State Police Specialist Lt. Tyhrann Howard confirmed that state police were assisting with the investigation but directed all questions to the Dearborn Police Department. A representative for mall security declined to comment when reached by phone.
