Early Black Friday shopping took a tragic turn on the night of Thanksgiving at the Galleria in Hoover, with a shooting reportedly resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
A police officer engaged the shooter, who died on the scene. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will investigate how the shooting transpired, as it was an officer-involved shooting involving the Hoover Police Department.
Witnesses speaking with WVTM’s Fred Davenport described a stampede to get out of the mall in the ensuing chaos, with others on social media reporting that people were hiding in bathrooms, changing rooms, supply closets and anywhere else they could out of their fear that it was a possible active shooter situation.
A Hoover police captain, in a press conference, explained that there are two gunshot victims besides the shooter, including a 12-year-old girl who has been transported to Children’s Hospital. Her condition is unknown. An 18-year-old male, who was involved in an altercation with the now-deceased shooter, has been transported to UAB Hospital in serious condition.
The news conference with local officials can be viewed below:
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
In a tweet, the City of Hoover said, “Our HPD officers acted heroically and professionally tonight. Our paramedics quickly provided care with expertise. We are proud of our personnel tonight.”
The incident at the Galleria has been brought under control by Hoover PD. Please avoid the mall area at this time.
— City of Hoover (@CityofHoover) November 23, 2018
Someone posted this shooting in the mall at river riverchase Galleria in Hoover Alabama on Thanksgiving pic.twitter.com/3WczyXqu7A
— NIKKI (@braxtonthings) November 23, 2018
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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