After a verbal argument turned violent on Friday night in a Nordstrom store at the Mall of America, a 19-year-old man died.
At a press conference held late on Friday night, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges stated that an officer heard gunshots close to the Nordstrom store at the mall at 7:50 p.m. However, when the police entered the store, they discovered a man who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Authorities claim that despite the officer’s best efforts, the victim eventually passed away from his wounds.
According to the Bloomington Police Department, the Mall of America in Minnesota was placed on lockdown following the shooting but reopened a little over an hour later just after 9 p.m. The Nordstrom store location remained shut.
Authorities think that a verbal disagreement between two groups of people preceded the violent altercation after studying security footage of the incident. According to Hodges, a man allegedly drew a gun during the altercation and shot the 19-year-old.
Authorities estimate that the entire incident lasted for around 30 seconds.
According to Hodges, police are currently in the process of identifying the culprits; however, no one has been taken into custody yet.
The person who was shot and killed has not yet been recognized.
“The family here, I feel really bad for them.” Hodges said. “This is before Christmas, and now they’re having to bury one of their loved ones.”
On Saturday, the Nordstrom will still be closed, but the Mall of America will be open as usual.