At least one person was killed and five others were injured after gunfire erupted inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Friday, authorities said.Police said the shooting stemmed from a confrontation between two groups and was not a random attack. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse told the AP that five people were taken into custody and there was no ongoing threat to the public.The incident began around 1:30 p.m., when an argument between the two groups developed into gunfire, according to police. The authorities initially said that up to 10 people were injured, but later revised the number to five.According to police and witnesses, the shooting sent shoppers and employees scrambling for safety. Desire Patton, who works in a clothing store, said she and her colleagues rushed to the break room. “We hid there until the cops came and got us,” Patton said.Police have appealed for witnesses to share any videos of the shooting. By late afternoon, dozens of police vehicles remained at the scene, helicopters flew overhead, and armed officers continued their patrols.
Mall spokesperson Lindsay Khan called it a “scary day” and said the mall will remain closed for the rest of the day.Witness Kennedy Barnum said she saw people running and crying after hearing reports of an active shooter. “We have to leave immediately,” she remembers a security guard telling her.
