NATIONAL — Holiday shoppers were sent running for safety after a fight at an Alabama mall turned into a shooting.
- Gunman killed, two injured in mall shooting
- Shooting occurred after fight between two people
- Armed police officer shot, killed gunman
One person was killed and two people were injured Thursday night during a shooting at the Riverchase Galleria in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover.
Witnesses described hearing gunshots inside the mall, causing customers to panic. Staff at the mall were working to help people flee or hide, witnesses said.
Officials said the shooting occurred during a fight between an 18-year-old and the 21-year-old gunman.
Police said the gunman shot the teen twice in the torso.
Police do not know how the confrontation began, CNN reported, but "we do not believe at this point the 18-year-old was armed," Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said.
An armed Hoover police officer who was working security at the mall confronted the gunman as he ran away from the scene and fatally shot him, police said.
A 12-year-old girl described by police as a bystander also was shot once, but it's unclear by whom, Rector said.
The 18-year-old was transported to the hospital in serious condition.
Police say the 12-year-old girl does not have life-threatening injuries and is in stable condition.
The officer involved as been placed on administrative leave.
The shopping center closed for the rest of the night, but reopened before sunrise for Black Friday shopping.
Information from CNN was used in this report.