BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — At least 10 people were injured Thursday as two groups of people opened fire at each other inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, police said.
Some of those responsible fled the scene as a huge police response arrived. No one was immediately in custody.
“To the thugs that did this, we’re going to catch you,” Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards stated.
Police Chief TJ Morse explained that two groups argued before the shooting began.
“Unfortunately, there were some innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds,” he noted.
Ten people were treated at local hospitals for various injuries, with at least two needing surgery. The police chief is appealing to witnesses for any video footage of the shooting.
“Right now, there is no known threat to the public,” he assured. “This is the safest place in Baton Rouge.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry acknowledged the shooting and advised the public to avoid the area.
A WBRZ-TV employee, Nikki Lee, described her experience as she arrived at the mall right after the shooting. “There was already a helicopter and lots of police officers going through the parking lots,” she recounted.
This incident marks the second instance of gun violence in Louisiana within the week, following a tragic event in Shreveport where a father fatally shot eight children.
