A fight inside Arundel Mills Mall erupted into gunfire Saturday evening, triggering a multicounty police chase that ended in a crash and the arrest of three suspects, officials said.
The chaos unfolded just after 5 p.m. near Burlington Coat Factory and spilled onto area highways within minutes.
A man told police he was leaving Burlington Coat Factory when he was approached by several people who had assaulted him Saturday, said Justin Mulcahy, the public information officer with the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
The man who said he’d been assaulted then pulled out a handgun, which was discharged during a struggle over the weapon, Mulcahy said at a news conference. One of the suspects was shot in the wrist, he added.
The suspects immediately fled in a black Nissan Altima. Officers found the vehicle in the Glen Burnie area and pursued it, according to officials. The suspects fled again but crashed near Interstate 695 in Baltimore County. The suspects got out of the car and fled on foot, Mulcahy said.
Anne Arundel County Police and the Baltimore County Police Department worked together to locate and arrest all three people, he said. The two suspects who did not sustain a gunshot wound had minor injuries from the crash. An Anne Arundel County officer also sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a crash during the pursuit.
The alleged victim had minor injuries.
It was not immediately clear if the individuals knew each other or what motivated the alleged attack. The investigation is ongoing.
No one has been charged at this time, Mulcahy said.
Shoppers and diners at Arundel Mills Mall posted online that many had to evacuate after hearing shots. Arundel Mills Mall, a large shopping center in Hanover with hundreds of stores and restaurants, remained open.
This article has been updated.
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