Customers hide in stockroom as shots ring out at mall

MURRAY, UTAH — Two people were wounded in a shooting just outside a popular Utah mall Sunday.

Hundreds of scared shoppers hunkered down until police arrived to evacuate the building.

A man and a woman in their early 20s were shot at about 1:30 p.m. near the southeast entrance to the Fashion Place mall in Murray, a suburb south of Salt Lake City, said Murray police officer Kenny Bass.

The man was in critical condition, the woman serious. Both were treated at a hospital.

Police were looking for three people suspected in the shooting, Bass said. He added the shooting may be gang-related.

Shoppers were escorted by police out of the mall holding their hands in the air. The mall is a popular shopping centre in the heart of the Salt Lake City area with stores such as Crate and Barrel, Macy’s and Nordstrom.

Bass says no other victims or suspects were found inside the mall.

Al Collins was shopping in Dillard’s with his girlfriend when the fire alarm started blaring. He started filming with his phone.

“Right after I started filming, gunshots were right around the corner from me,” he said.

Shots are heard in his video, along with his girlfriend crying.

Store employee Danielle Cala said 10 to 12 employees and around 20 customers hid in the store’s upstairs stockroom. She said police escorted them out after about 40 minutes.

“We were mostly all quiet and in shock,” said Calacino, 21.