Armed Man Killed at Black Friday Sale at Alabama Mall

Police killed an armed man and two other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl, during a shootout during Friday's black Friday night sale at a mall near Birmingham, Alabama.

Hundreds of people fled the Riverchase Galleria in the outskirts of Hoover after gunfire was reported at 9:52 pm. (22:52 ET), said the witnesses.

The mall was to remain open until midnight before Friday's sales.

Police captain Gregg Rector said the incident began with a fight between two people. One took out a gun and shot the other, an 18-year-old man, who was in serious condition, he said.

The gunman escaped and was killed by a uniformed Hoover officer, according to the rector.

A 12-year-old girl was also shot in circumstances that were not yet known; she was described as alert, aware and talking, said the rector.

Several witnesses told WVTM Birmingham, affiliated with NBC, have heard up to 10 shots.

The center will remain closed until further notice. Its operators stated that they had been "devastated by the incident".

The purchase was halted on Thanksgiving Day last year when fighting broke out in the same mall. One person was treated for minor injuries.