At least 10 people were injured and one person died after two groups of people opened fire on each other at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday. Police Chief TJ Morse stated that the shooting unfolded after an argument broke out inside the mall's food court, noting that innocent bystanders may have also been hit.
Several of those responsible fled the scene as a large police presence responded. Governor Jeff Landry described the incident as an active shooter scene and advised the public to avoid the area. Ten people were transported to local hospitals with various injuries, with at least two requiring surgery.
Mayor Sid Edwards vowed to catch those responsible, calling them thugs. Chief Morse appealed to witnesses for video evidence and stated that there is currently no known threat to the public. During the response, some mall patrons, including a WBRZ-TV employee, were moved to a safe holding area before being escorted to their vehicles.
The incident is the second instance of gun violence in Louisiana this week. On Sunday, a father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in a Shreveport neighborhood attack that also left two women critically wounded.