A violent altercation at a shopping mall in Waterbury, Connecticut, escalated into a shooting incident on Tuesday, leaving five people injured, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at the Brass Mill Center around 4:40 p.m., with the victims promptly transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The authorities have clarified that the shooting was not a random act of violence but rather a result of a heated argument that spiraled out of control at the 1.1-million square-foot shopping complex. The suspect, believed to be a man in his 20s, reportedly used a semi-automatic pistol during the incident.
Late Tuesday night, police took a person of interest into custody in connection with the shooting. However, the primary suspect remains at large. A video circulating online, believed to be from inside the mall, showed one of the victims screaming in pain and calling for help.
The extent of the injuries sustained by the victims is currently unknown, but officials have confirmed that there were no fatalities. The mall was filled with shoppers at the time of the incident, many of whom took shelter in place as the situation unfolded.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating, “This afternoon there was a tragic mass shooting at the Bass Mill Center in Waterbury, a place where everyone should feel safe.” He extended his condolences to the victims, their families, and the Waterbury community affected by the incident.
The Waterbury Police Department is working in collaboration with the Connecticut State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the ongoing investigation into the incident.