Champion NASCAR driver Kyle Busch was seen racing through the Mall of America on Thursday after gunshots rang out, sending terrified shoppers sprinting for the doors.
Fox 55 News Director Andy Paras happened to be on the scene when the shots erupted, and in the video of the incident he posted on Twitter, Busch is spotted speaking on his cellphone and holding the hand of his young son, Brexton, as the two headed for the exit.
Chaos and confusion at @mallofamerica. Making people go outside. #mallofamerica pic.twitter.com/NzMvI7iK6m
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
Much of the harrowing incident played out on social media.
Paras reported police were present.
“Cops with rifles taking position,” he tweeted. “Mall PA system telling people to take shelter. Meanwhile several people are walking in unaware of what’s happening.”
Cops with rifles taking position. Mall PA system telling people to take shelter. Meanwhile several people are walking in unaware of what’s happening. #mallofamerica pic.twitter.com/u24BxFGJh1
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
Bloomington Police tweeted, “We are currently working an active incident inside Mall of America on the northwest side. Numerous officers are on scene. We will update when we have more information.”
We are currently working an active incident inside Mall of America on the northwest side. Numerous officers are on scene. We will update when we have more information.
— Bloomington Police (@BPD_MN) August 4, 2022
Meanwhile, Paras noted that would-be shoppers were still entering the mall, even after he was “politely” asked to leave by a police officer.
“Just saw a family wheel a woman in on a wheelchair like nothing happening,” he wrote.
I was just asked politely to leave by one of these officers. People are still walking in. Just saw a family wheel a woman in on a wheelchair like nothing happening #mallofamerica pic.twitter.com/nhRiGPVHOp
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
According to Paras, one woman stated, “They’re on lockdown but nothing’s locked.”
Officer just came to the parking garage entrance and told everyone mall is closed. Woman: “They’re on lockdown but nothing’s locked.” #mallofamerica
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
Paras said he was alerted to the active shooter not by the sound of gunfire, but by people running toward him.
“For the record I was in the main atrium on first floor when I saw a couple panicky people run toward the exit, saw police officers run toward the amusement park and then saw a thousand people run toward me to exit,” he tweeted. “I did not hear gunshots.”
For the record I was in the main atrium on first floor when I saw a couple panicky people run toward the exit, saw police officers run toward the amusement park and then saw a thousand people run toward me to exit. I did not hear gunshots.
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
Video taken by another shopper captured the moment the shots were fired.
Video from the reported Mall of America shooting. pic.twitter.com/tWwhPGzwtY
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) August 4, 2022
For at least part of the time, it was a civilian who prevented customers from entering the mall.
“One woman (@doctormrsmama) is making sure no one goes in,” Paras reported.
“There was no management at all,” the concerned good Samaritan said, according to Paras. “I was like, I cannot in my right mind let people in there.”
I’m standing at the door and no one is going in any more. One woman (@doctormrsmama) is making sure no one goes in. “There was no management at all. I was like I cannot in my right mind let people in there.”
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
An hour later, a uniformed guard was present, and “hundreds of people” poured out of the mall.
Hundreds of people are filling out of #mallofamerica now. Gives you an idea how many people were locked inside and just how massive this place is. pic.twitter.com/8A5yeJQa3y
— Andy Paras (@AndyParas) August 4, 2022
Over on Instagram, Samantha Busch, wife to Kyle and mother of little Brexton, assured NASCAR fans that her family made it out okay.
“If you are seeing the news about the @mallofamerica we got out and are safe,” she posted. “Praying others inside are too.”
#NASCAR: Kyle Busch and his family were at Mall of America today, and Samantha confirmed in her IG Stories that they got out prior to the mall being locked down for a reported shooting and are safe. pic.twitter.com/OxKkBtHZAv
— Justin Nguyen 🏈🏁 (@ZappaOMatic) August 4, 2022
Bloomington Police posted an update after the mall was secured and called the event an “isolated incident.”
“We have secured the scene at the Mall of America and can confirm that shots were fired,” BPD stated. “This is an isolated incident. The suspect fled the MOA on foot and officers are in the process of interviewing witnesses. At this time we have not located a victim.”
We have secured the scene at the Mall of America and can confirm that shots were fired. This is an isolated incident. The suspect fled the MOA on foot and officers are in the process of interviewing witnesses. At this time we have not located a victim.
— Bloomington Police (@BPD_MN) August 4, 2022
The Mall of America quickly followed suit.
“This afternoon, Mall of America immediately went into lockdown after reports of shots fired. Based on information from @BPD_MN, this was an isolated dispute between the suspects and there is no longer a threat,” MOA tweeted.
“Thank you to all of our guests and tenants who responded quickly and followed security guidance during this afternoon’s lockdown,” MOA continued. “MOA is scheduled to reopen Friday at 10 a.m.”
Thank you to all of our guests and tenants who responded quickly and followed security guidance during this afternoon's lockdown. MOA is scheduled to reopen Friday at 10 a.m.
— Mall of America (@mallofamerica) August 5, 2022
According to a report from Fox 9, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said the shooting stemmed from a conflict between two groups at the Nike store’s cash registers. Ultimately, one of the angry shoppers pulled a gun and opened fire.
“They decided to demonstrate a complete lack of respect for human life,” Chief Hodges said. “They decided to fire multiple rounds into a store with people.”
Miraculously, no one appears to have been injured in the shooting.
Police are still searching for the suspects involved.
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