An armed civilian shot and killed a gunman who opened fire in an Indiana mall Sunday evening, killing three people before he was stopped. Two people were also injured during the incident.
According to the Indy Star, Greenwood Police Chief Jim Ison told reporters that the armed “Good Samaritan” was a hero and described him as a 22-year-old man from Bartholomew County, Indiana who was legally carrying his firearm.
“The real hero of the day is the citizen that was lawfully carrying a firearm in that food court and was able to stop the gunman almost as soon as he began,” Ison said.
Ison said the attacker used a “long gun,” and reportedly had several loaded magazines. The Good Samaritan is believed to have used a handgun.
Video from the scene was shared on Twitter showing a heavy police presence as the mall was evacuated.
Among those wounded was a 12-year-old girl, and the other victims were between 20 and 30 years old, including one woman and three men.
The woman was pronounced dead after being rushed to Eskenazi Hospital. One man was declared dead at St. Francis Hospital, and the other male victim died at the mall, the Johnson County Coroner’s Office said early Monday. The gunman was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Footage from inside the mall during the evacuation was also posted on Twitter.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire just after 6 p.m. A bomb squad was included in the response after an unattended backpack was discovered in a bathroom nearby. Authorities later cleared the mystery backpack.
“You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us,” said Chris Bailey, IMPD assistant chief. “We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.”
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, along with the FBI, ATF, and the Department of Homeland Security, are investigating the incident.
In the wake of the shooting, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb tweeted his condolences and assured the public that he is monitoring the investigation.
“I am monitoring the ongoing investigation in Greenwood, where Indiana State Police are assisting local authorities. Lives were lost today, and I’m thinking about all the victims of this horrible incident, now and in the days and weeks to come.”
Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) tweeted, “Terrible news tonight in my home county. Praying for the victims of a shooting at the Greenwood Park Mall. Thank you to our law enforcement officers who responded.”
