Two Groups Exchange Gunfire at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Killing 1

An exchange of gunfire at a food court inside the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, killed one person and wounded five others on Thursday, according to police and witnesses cited by AP.

“Exchange of gunfire inside Mall of Louisiana leaves 1 person dead and 5 wounded Exchange of gunfire inside Mall of Louisiana leaves 1 person dead and 5 wounded BATON ROUGE, La”

AP News

AP reported that the incident began around 1:30 p.m., when “the two groups argued inside the food court and started shooting at each other,” and that authorities described it as “a confrontation between two groups of people and not a random attack.”

AP News

Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said five people were in custody and there was “no ongoing threat to the public,” while BBC similarly said the shooting “appears to have occurred when two groups began shooting at each other after an argument in the food court.”

CNN reported that “Two groups of people got into an argument inside the food court and started shooting at each other,” citing Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr and surveillance footage.

NBC News placed the shooting at around 1:22 p.m. local time near the food court, and said five suspects were taken into custody.

Fox News Digital said local and federal law enforcement responded after gunfire broke out inside the mall’s food court, with Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse confirming the death and five wounded.

The mall was closed after the shooting, and NBC News quoted the mall saying, “We are heart broken and angered that our shopping center was the location for today’s horrific incident.”

Multiple outlets described an evolving injury count and a rapid police response at the Mall of Louisiana.

AP said authorities initially described the shooting as involving as many as 10 injured, but later revised that number, while BBC reported that police had earlier said “as many as 10 people were taken to hospital” before updating to five hurt.

BBC

CNN likewise said police initially reported 10 injured and later revised the number, and it described the investigation as ongoing while officers reviewed surveillance video and collected evidence.

NBC News reported that police initially said 10 people were injured but later revised that to “one dead and five injured,” and it added that “Of the five injured, one was in surgery and four had minor injuries.”

USA Today reported that one person died at a local hospital, another was in surgery, and three others had minor injuries, and it also said another person was taken to another hospital with “very minor injuries.”

WAFB said a 17-year-old was dead and five others were injured, and it reported that “EMS confirmed six victims have been taken to the hospital, one of whom died from their injuries,” while also stating “Police said some victims are undergoing surgery.”

WBRZ said the incident began at 1:22 p.m. and that nearly three hours after the shooting, Morse announced five people had been taken into custody.

Police and political leaders repeatedly urged the public to avoid the area and to provide video or other information.

“One person was killed and at least five others were injured after an apparent argument led to a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday, police said”

CNN

BBC reported that Police also urged witnesses to share video of the shooting with authorities, and it quoted Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards saying, “To the thugs that did this, we're going to catch you.”

CNN said investigators were reviewing surveillance video and collecting evidence, and it quoted Morse saying, “This is still an ongoing investigation, and we’re still looking for more people that may be involved,” while also quoting him that the incident was “a very targeted kind of disagreement between two groups of people.”

NBC News reported that police were asking for anyone to report cell phone video they may have of the incident, and it quoted Morse telling the public, “Keep these families in your prayers, especially the deceased victim.”

Fox News Digital said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry asked the public to avoid the area, and it quoted Landry’s statement: “Please pray for the victims and their families — and we will update as able.”

USA Today quoted Landry saying, “Please avoid the area,” and it also quoted him adding, “Sharon and I are praying for those affected and are grateful for a quick response by our law enforcement officials.”

WAFB directed viewers to call Crime Stoppers and said anyone with information that can help investigators was urged to call Crime Stoppers by calling 225-344-7867.

Witness accounts described chaos inside the Mall of Louisiana as gunfire erupted and shoppers ran for safety.

AP quoted Kennedy Barnum, 22, who said she heard a woman on the phone outside say, “I’ll call you back. There’s an active shooter in the mall.”

FOX 8 Local First

Barnum said that within five minutes law enforcement had swarmed the mall and that she saw people running and crying, including one girl she described as “hysterical,” while she also said a security guard told her “there was an active shooter there, people were shot and injured, and we should leave immediately.”

CNN described frightened shoppers running and ducking for cover in stores and dressing rooms, and it included a witness account from Signi Dreyer, a carousel operator at the mall, who told a CNN affiliate WAFB that she thought the loud bangs were “fireworks” before she saw “a man armed with a gun firing multiple shots.”

CNN also quoted Raleigh Robertson, 22, who said she heard gunshots while shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods and recalled thinking, “I’m not a runner, but I’m about to be a runner today,” and she said the “extremely rapid firing” continued for 20 to 30 seconds.

NBC News quoted Todd Terrell, president of the United Cajun Navy, who said he heard around 15 to 20 shots while at the Dillard’s at the mall with five people his charitable group was assisting.

USA Today included witness reporting from Stanley Jackson, a FedEx worker, who told The Advocate that “everybody started running,” and it also quoted Raleigh Robertson describing shoppers fleeing as “You can see everyone and their mama running out the store.”

Several outlets connected the Mall of Louisiana shooting to other recent gun violence in Louisiana and described officials’ reactions and investigative next steps.

“Local and federal law enforcement agencies responded to the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Thursday, after gunfire broke out inside the shopping center's food court, killing at least one person and wounding several more”

Fox News

AP said it was “at least the second high-profile case of gun violence in Louisiana this week,” referencing a father’s attack in Shreveport Sunday morning that killed eight children and critically wounded two women.

Fox News

CNN similarly said the shootout happened just days after another mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, and it quoted Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards saying, “Sometimes the devil lives everywhere,” and “This is one of those situations – no matter how many law enforcement you’ve got or social programs or whatever, if someone gets in their mind that they’re going to do it and sometimes all we can do is respond.”

Fox News Digital said the FBI New Orleans and Louisiana State Police confirmed they were responding to assist, and it quoted FBI Director Kash Patel writing on X, “@FBINewOrleans and agents out of our Baton Rouge RS are continuing to assist our partners with the investigation on today’s shooting at the Mall of Louisiana.”

NBC News reported that the investigation remains ongoing and police were looking for additional people who may have been involved, and it quoted Morse saying, “Keep these families in your prayers, especially the deceased victim.”

WBRZ said the mall was closed and that Baton Rouge General Hospital was on lockdown for around an hour, while Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital said their emergency rooms were open but visitors and guests were asked to stay away.

WAFB reported that Sheriff Jason Ard confirmed they had “a person of interest in custody who is possibly tied to the shooting,” and it said there was “no threat to the public at this time.”