HOOVER, Ala. —
Blood was seen on the floor of the Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama, after a shooting happened on Friday, according to officials.
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What We KnowPolice responded at 11:57 a.m. to a shots-fired call One person was shot; non-life-threatening injuriesStarted as a fightPolice said there is “no longer an active threat” The mall reopened at 1:30p.m.; food court at 3:30 p.m.
Reports of the shooting began coming in shortly before noon. A former WVTM 13 reporter sent us video that shows blood on the ground inside the mall and a large amount of police officers.
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According to Mayor Nick Derzis, a fight broke out in the mall’s food court area and escalated into a shooting.
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Authorities said a person was shot in the arm. The victim was later released from the hospital after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
The Hoover Police Department said that this “was not a random act of violence.” Evidence indicates that the suspects and victim knew each other and engaged in a fight before the shooting.
Video sent to WVTM 13 showed what appeared to be police taking a person into custody. Police have not said if any suspects have been arrested at this time.
The police department said, “Every resource at the disposal of the Hoover Police Department is currently deployed to find those responsible and hold them accountable. Detectives have gathered leads, and we are confident the suspects will be identified and apprehended quickly.”
Frightening Moments for Employees and Shoppers
A caller told us that she was locked in a dressing room in Macy’s as employees at the mall shouted that the mall was under lockdown and that there was an “active shooter.”
Video sent to WVTM 13 also shows what appears to be a person in custody.
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Hoover Police acknowledged that there is a large police presence, but said that there is no active threat at this time. No other information was released.
If you have any information regarding this case, you are asked to call Sgt. Jerry Edwards at 205-739-7440. You can also remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward by calling Crimestoppers at 205-254-7777.
History of Violence at the Galleria
Police said this is the first incident at the Galleria mall in over five years and the first non-fatal shooting in the city of Hoover this year. The Galleria has had a history of violence, including a fatal shooting on the parking deck in 2019 and a shooting inside the mall on Thanksgiving in 2018. In 2020, an 8-year-old was killed after being caught in the crossfire of a shooting inside the mall.
Police said, “Much like when Mayor Derzis was police chief, if you come to Hoover to commit a crime, we will find you and arrest you.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. Stay updated on the latest stories with the WVTM 13 app. You can download it here.