Mayfair Mall shooting in Wisconsin leaves 8 injured

A gunman opened fire inside a shopping mall near Milwaukee on Friday, injuring seven adults and a teenager, police said. The extent of the injuries was unclear.

The suspect, described as a white man in his twenties and thirties, fled the scene before officers arrived at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa. Police Chief Barry Weber said they were working to determine the identity of the suspect.

The shooting took place at around 2:50 p.m. Friday, prompting a large police presence of around 75 police officers at the scene. The FBI’s Milwaukee Division has said it is helping local law enforcement.

Hours after the shooting, Wauwatosa police said a preliminary investigation had led investigators to believe the shooting “was not a random act and was the result of an altercation.” They did not provide further details.

A preliminary investigation led us to believe that this shooting was not a random act, and was the result of an altercation. We will continue to work diligently to interview the many witnesses, as well as the victims who were injured, to identify and apprehend the suspect.

– Wauwatosa Police (WI) (@WauwatosaPD) November 21, 2020

Earlier on Friday, Mayor Dennis McBride said the gunman was still at large and none of the victims’ injuries appeared to be life threatening. McBride called the shooting an “active shooter” incident.

The Mayfair Mall issued a statement on the shooting: “We are disheartened and irritated that our customers and tenants have been the victims of this violent incident today. We are grateful to our partners in the Wauwatosa Police Department and are cooperating with them. as their investigation progresses. “

Several witnesses said they heard gunshots ringing inside the mall. Jill Wooley said she was inside with her 79-year-old mother. “I knew right away it was a shot and they just kept coming in,” Wooley said on CBS affiliate WDJT. “We just fell to the ground.”

“I think we were all born with it,” she added. “We’ve all been exposed to public shootings like this. I think we all thought about what we would do in a situation like this.”

Steve Humphrey said his eldest daughter was inside as the shooting unfolded. “I told him to bend down and wait and hide until I get there,” Humphrey told the station as police swept the area. He said his daughter was still inside the building talking to officers. “She’s just a college girl trying to work and earn a dollar.”

This story is developing. Please come back for updates.