FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A 25-year-old man was hospitalized after being shot outside Manchester Center in Fresno.
Officers responded around 8 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a ShotSpotter activation behind the mall.
When officers arrived, they found a man inside the mall near the UEI College elevator with a gunshot wound to the lower body.
Officers provided first aid before the victim was taken to the hospital, where he is listed in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument between two people in the back parking lot.
During that confrontation, a silver vehicle pulled up and several shots were fired, hitting a 25-year-old man.
He ran into the mall for safety.
Police say both him and another person involved in the argument are students at UEI College, but the shooter is not believed to be a student.
“It appears the victim was in some kind of argument with another student when an unknown person arrived and opened fire,” investigators say.
At this time, detectives are still searching for the suspect, described as a man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, last seen leaving in a silver vehicle.
The building briefly went into lockdown as officers made sure students and staff were safe.
Police say classes were in session when the shooting happened, and some students’ cars remain inside the crime scene area while investigators collect evidence.
Detectives recovered shell casings and bullet fragments from the parking lot and believe the building was also struck during the gunfire.
Police say between four and ten shots may have been fired.
Police credit the ShotSpotter system for allowing officers to respond quickly and reach the victim in time to render aid.
Anyone with information or video of the incident is urged to contact the Fresno Police Department or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP.