A busy afternoon at one of Baton Rouge’s largest shopping centers turned into chaos after gunfire erupted inside the Mall of Louisiana, leaving one person dead and at least nine others injured, according to authorities.
Police confirmed the shooting happened shortly after 1:20 p.m. on Thursday, with reports of shots fired near the food court area. Panic spread quickly as shoppers and employees scrambled for safety inside the crowded mall.
Officials say the incident appears to be targeted violence between two groups, rather than a random attack. However, investigators noted that some of the injured victims may have been innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
At least one person died at the scene, and multiple victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, with earlier reports indicating that several were in critical condition. Police have not yet released the identities of those involved.
The suspect or suspects remain at large.
Law enforcement agencies have launched a full-scale search operation and are urging the public to come forward with any information that could help identify those responsible.
During a press briefing, Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said officers responded quickly to the scene after receiving emergency calls reporting active gunfire inside the mall. He emphasized that while the situation is under control, the investigation is still ongoing and active.
Local and state officials have also responded to the tragedy. Jeff Landry issued a statement expressing condolences to victims and praising the rapid response of law enforcement. He added that his office is closely monitoring the situation as authorities continue their investigation.
Despite the violence, officials stated there is currently no ongoing threat to the public, though security around the area has been increased as a precaution.
The shooting has once again raised concerns about public safety in high-traffic commercial spaces, especially during peak shopping hours when malls are filled with families and workers.
For now, investigators are working to piece together what led to the confrontation and whether additional suspects were involved.