Mall Altercation
One Man Dead in Shooting at The Mall in Columbia
Columbia, Md. — A tragic incident unfolded at The Mall in Columbia on Saturday evening, leaving one man dead after an altercation escalated into gunfire. The Howard County Police Department confirmed the fatal shooting, which occurred around 6:10 p.m. in the food court area of the popular shopping destination.
According to police spokesperson Sherry Llewelyn, officers responded promptly to reports of gunfire and discovered a male victim deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the shooting was not a random act but rather a targeted attack. "Based on the preliminary information and evidence that the officers and detectives have located, we do believe that this victim was targeted," Llewelyn stated during an evening news conference at the mall.
The mall, which was bustling with weekend shoppers, quickly descended into chaos as the sound of gunshots echoed through the food court. An employee, who requested anonymity, described the immediate aftermath: “People started rushing, kind of like a stampede. I heard yelling and saw stores being locked down, with patrons and employees hiding in the backs of stores.”
Authorities swiftly moved to secure the area and evacuate shoppers in an orderly fashion. Llewelyn assured the public that there was no ongoing threat. “Everyone who’s inside the mall or on the mall grounds is deemed to be safe. We’re just talking with people who might be witnesses and we’re asking anyone with any information to provide the police department with those details.”
Witnesses recounted the fear and confusion that gripped the mall during the incident. One shopper described the scene as chaotic, with people running in all directions to find safety. "Everybody was running. Within a minute, everybody was scattered," said a woman who works in the mall. Another mall worker added, "We smelled the gunfire."
Outside the mall, a group of people gathered, visibly shaken, some embracing each other in a giant hug and sobbing audibly. The scene was a stark contrast to the nearby Merriweather Post Pavilion, where music from the O.A.R./Fitz and the Tantrums concert could be faintly heard in the distance.
This incident brings back memories of a previous shooting at The Mall in Columbia in 2014, where a gunman killed two store employees before taking his own life. Llewelyn referenced this past tragedy, noting that it had led to improved training and coordination among law enforcement agencies. “Sadly, we had an active shooter incident, which was different from tonight’s incident, a few years ago, which really enabled us to ramp up our training and our coordination,” she said.
As of now, the identity of the deceased victim has not been released, and police are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to aid in the investigation.
The community has been left in shock and mourning following the incident. Social media was flooded with messages from concerned citizens and those who were at the mall during the shooting. One witness shared on Facebook, "As we were leaving the Columbia Mall there was a shooting in the mall. Everyone was running out of the mall! Thank GOD for covering us!"
The Mall in Columbia, a central hub for shopping and social gatherings in Howard County, now faces the somber task of addressing the aftermath of this violent incident. While the mall has been declared safe, the impact of the shooting will undoubtedly linger in the minds of those who were present and the broader community. Police continue to work diligently to piece together the events of that evening and bring closure to the victim's family and friends.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.