In an update, police also said one person suffered minor injuries in Thursday’s incident.
CEDAR PARK, Texas — An investigation into Thursday’s shooting at Lakeline Mall is ongoing as police have now identified a possible gunman.
In an update, the Austin Police Department identified a man in his late teens or early 20s as their suspect. Police released a new video after the shooting that shows the suspect running through the food court while wearing a black hoodie, dark pants and dark shoes.
Police also said that while evidence inside the mall showed no injuries, a person did report themselves to the hospital with minor injuries from a bullet fragment.
What happened at Lakeline Mall?
According to police, officers were called to the mall regarding a “shoot/stab hotshot” on Thursday around 4 p.m.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the incident started as a dispute between two groups inside the mall’s food court when a shot was fired. Witnesses said the groups then ran from the mall, which led to a chaotic scene that prompted the mall to go into lockdown mode.
Davis initially said no one was arrested in the shooting, but that police had a description of the suspect. Lakeline Mall would close early as police cleared the area for their investigation.
“You do an offense like that in Austin … there will be justice in this,” Davis said. “You do not fire a weapon inside a mall with innocent people about. They will be found.”
Witnesses describe chaotic scene
After the tense moments following the shooting, family members were allowed to pick up their relatives at a nearby thrift store.
Some people like Rihanna Rand, who was at the mall with her friend getting food, said she saw the fight and heard a loud bang.
“We heard it really close by, and my ears just started ringing,” Rand said. “So I grabbed my friend and we started running and she told me to just run to her car really fast.”
It is an experience shared by Derek Petty, who was shopping with a friend.
“We walk out and everyone’s like, running and screaming,” Petty said. “So we started running and screaming. Next thing I know, everyone in the mall is just running towards the doors, running around, all kinds of panic.”
Others said the experience was terrifying and wouldn’t return to the mall.
Where does the investigation stand now?
If you have pictures or videos of the incident, you can share them with Austin police through their evidence portal at this link.
Police said a reward of up to $1,000 is available for those who submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477, or by contacting the police department’s Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245.
Lakeline Mall was business as usual on Friday as the company that owns the mall gave the following statement:
“The safety and security of our shoppers, retailers, and employees is our highest priority. We are committed to maintaining a strong security program that includes numerous measures in addition to staying in close collaboration with local law enforcement. Although this was an isolated incident, out of an abundance of caution, additional security will be deployed at the center.”