A mall in Durham, North Carolina has been put on lockdown following reports of shots fired. Videos show customers fleeing in panic and waiting in shuttered stores on what is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year.
One video from the Southpoint Mall on Friday shows panicked shoppers running, after what was reported to be an active shooting. At least one person was injured by gunfire, Councilmember Mark-Anthony Middleton told local media.
The Streets at Southpoint Durham, NCPossible shooting I don’t know people were running I heard one but I wasn’t sure #durham#durhamnc#streetsatsouthpoint#shooting#fightspic.twitter.com/SDogvTirQg
Another video shared on Twitter shows masked shoppers sheltering in place inside a clothing store.
BREAKING NEWS: Shots fired at Southpoint Mall in Durham, NC. All stores are on lockdown and asking people to shelter in place at the moment. Anyone have any updates? Please DM or reach out to me ? pic.twitter.com/gPAsfn5LIs
This is the second report of gunfire at the Southpoint in the span of a month. Police responded to a call about gunshots on October 24, but found that the noise customers heard was due to tables and chairs being flipped over during a fight involving two people. Two bystanders were also injured in the altercation on that occasion.
I’m currently locked in a store with other shoppers due to a lockdown situation in Streets at Southpoint Mall in #Durham.We’re waiting to hear from security what prompted this situation. While shopping, I saw many people running. @TheDurhamPolice@WRAL#wralpic.twitter.com/dCVGWP40L8
The shopping center is located on the southern outskirts of Durham, and was bustling with customers on so-called Black Friday. The day after the Thanksgiving holiday in the US is the busiest time of the year for retailers, as Americans flock to stores in search of Christmas gifts at sale prices.
EMS is on scene at Southpoint mall we’re officials confirm at least one person is shot. We are working to get more information from @TheDurhamPolice. @WNCNpic.twitter.com/9PRBInCIf9
The lockdown appeared to be over by approximately 4:30pm local time, but the mall was said to be closing down for the rest of the day as police continue their investigation.
HAPPENING NOW: We are leaving the store being escorted by officers in a single file line. Southpoint Mall in Durham, NC is now closed for the rest of #BlackFriday. Unfortunate situation on one of the busiest days of the year for shopping. pic.twitter.com/wM98Ii2TQX
