BATON ROUGE, La. — A violent confrontation between rival groups erupted into gunfire Thursday at a Louisiana shopping center, leaving 10 people wounded and sending shoppers scrambling for safety.
The shooting occurred when two groups began arguing in the food court area of the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge before pulling out weapons and firing at each other, according to Police Chief TJ Morse.
“Unfortunately there were some innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds,” he said.
The gunmen escaped before law enforcement could respond to the scene, leaving no suspects in custody. Mayor Sid Edwards issued a stern warning to those responsible.
“To the thugs that did this, we’re going to catch you,” Edwards said.
All 10 victims were transported to area medical facilities with varying degrees of injuries, with at least two requiring surgical procedures, Morse confirmed. The police chief is asking anyone who witnessed the violence to share any video footage they may have captured.
Despite the ongoing manhunt, Morse attempted to reassure the community about public safety.
“Right now there is no known threat to the public,” he said. “Right here is the safest place in Baton Rouge.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry acknowledged the incident and urged residents to stay away from the mall area.
WBRZ-TV staff member Nikki Lee described arriving at the shopping center shortly after the violence unfolded.
“I drove up and walked in right after the shooting,” Lee told the TV station. “There was already a helicopter and already lots of police officers going through the parking lots.”
She was among numerous shoppers who were moved to a secure location during the police investigation.
This marks Louisiana’s second major gun violence incident this week. On Sunday morning in Shreveport, a man killed eight children, including seven of his own, during a domestic attack that spanned two residences. The shooter’s wife and another woman sustained life-threatening injuries in that incident.
