BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Cheri Gypin thought something had fallen from the ceiling when she heard several big bangs at the largest mall in Boise, Idaho.
Then Grypin and a friend saw about 60 people, including families pushing strollers, running towards them – with some shouting, there was an active shooter in the mall on Monday afternoon.
“My friend tried to process it,” said Gypin. “I just looked at them and said, ‘We have to run.’ So we just ran and kept running until we reached the perimeter of the parking lot. “
Two people were killed and four injured – including an officer – in the Boise Towne Square shopping center, authorities said. The officer was injured in an exchange of fire with the suspect, who was arrested in critical condition and hospitalized, police said.
Boise Police Chief Ryan Lee said the shooting was reported at around 1:50 pm and included a report that one person was “shot down”.
When the officers arrived, they saw someone who matched the suspect’s description.
“An exchange of fire broke out shortly thereafter, in which the officer was injured and the suspect was taken into custody,” Lee told reporters.
Investigators assume there was only one shooter and there was no ongoing threat to the public, he said. Police said what they called “events” took place inside and outside the mall, but did not elaborate.
Police in a statement did not identify the shooter or the victims, citing their ongoing investigation, saying the injured officer had been treated and released.
“We can’t really give any motivation behind this right now,” said Lee. “I cannot emphasize enough how traumatic this event is for the community at large, as well as for those who have witnessed it, or the families of those involved, or are themselves involved.”
After the shooting, several witnesses stood in the rain outside the entrance to Macy’s – one of five major department stores in the mall – waiting to be questioned or told by police to leave.
Officials from the Federal Office for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives supported the investigation.
About a quarter mile away, officials blocked off part of a road near a busy intersection so they could investigate a second crime scene related to the shooting. The officers at the second crime scene declined to answer questions.
Investigators were working to notify family members of the injured and killed, Lee said.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean urged the people and the news media to provide privacy to the victims and their families as they deal with the trauma of the shooting.
“Countless people have found themselves in a situation they never expected or should have expected,” said McLean, praising shopkeepers and others for reacting so quickly to take care of the people who were there. .
“You showed in a tough and chaotic moment how much you care and what you are willing to support and care for strangers,” said McLean.
Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in any way without permission.
