Authorities: ‘Innocent bystander’ killed in Mass. mall shooting

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - One person is dead following a shooting at a busy shopping mall in Massachusetts.

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office said Holyoke police were called to the Holyoke Mall just before 7 p.m. Saturday for a report of shots fired.

According to Western Mass News, when they arrived, they found a male victim, and the suspect was immediately taken into custody.

“The incident, which resulted in a fatality, occurred between two known parties. The victim was an innocent bystander to a confrontation between two other people,” said the district attorney’s office in a statement.

Officials noted that there is no ongoing public safety threat.

Mall security told Western Mass News that mall employees were ordered to lock their gates or safely leave. Officers went around to each store when it was safe to leave.

In a social media post, Holyoke Mall said that the shopping center is currently closed and will reopen Sunday at 11 a.m.

Pyramid Management Group, which owns Holyoke Mall, said in a statement on Saturday:

“We do not condone violence of any kind in our community. We are actively cooperating with law-enforcement in the investigation of this incident and understand that the suspect was immediately taken into custody and that there is no ongoing public safety threat as it relates to this incident. Our thoughts this evening remain with the victim and their family during this difficult time.”

The case remains under investigation by Holyoke Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office.

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