Springfield Mall Closed Saturday After Shots Fired In Parking Lot

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SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (CBS) — Springfield Mall is closed after shots were fired in the mall's parking lot following a fight between two groups of people.

The shooting sent hundreds of people into panic mode.

"At the moment it was scary because you didn't know who was shooting or where it was coming from," said Daniel Piotti of Springfield.

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Police and fire crews were dispatched to the mall at approximately 1:05 p.m. to reports of a shooting in the parking lot near the Baltimore Pike.

Officials believe a fight that started between two groups of people inside the mall spilled outside. Then, someone from each group pulled out a gun and the groups began exchanging gunfire in the middle of the mall's packed parking lot.

"We are lucky with the gunfire that was exchanged that there were no pedestrians out here hit," said Springfield Police Department Lt. Joe Sadoff.

But, had the gunfire rang out a few minutes later, Thomas Howell says his son and he, would've been walking to their car. The shooting happened right next to it.

"It could have happened," said Howell. "Very scary. Very scary. So thank god right!"

Police say all those involved in the shooting managed to flee the scene before they arrived.

But, the parking lot is filled with surveillance cameras, so investigators are going through that video now hoping to track down the cars involved and ultimately the people.

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The mall will remain closed for the rest of Saturday night.

Macy's and Target are still open.

 

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