Four killed including shooter and three others injured in Indiana mall shooting

Four people have been killed, including the shooter, and three others were injured in a shooting on Sunday afternoon in suburban Indianapolis. 

The attack happened at the Greenwood Park Mall.

The shooter was shot dead by a Good Samaritan who witnessed the shooting, according to Greenwood Police Chief James Ison. The man used a handgun to bring down the assailant. 

Police believe that the suspect acted alone. At this point he has only been described as an adult male. 

Ison said that the suspect was armed with a rifle and had multiple magazines when he began opening fire. 

The mall is located around 15 miles south of Indianapolis.  

The shooter was shot dead by a Good Samaritan who witnessed the shooting, according to Greenwood Police Chief James Ison

The chief said: ‘It appears that he had a rifle with several magazines of ammunition, entered the food court and began shooting.’

Officers were called shortly before 6 p.m. to Greenwood Park Mall, where gunshots were reportedly fired in the food court, assistant chief of police Chris Bailey said at a brief news conference. 

Authorities are searching the mall for any other victims, but Bailey said he believes the shooting was contained to the food court. 

Bailey said at the press conference: ‘You are seeing the best that public safety has to offer right now behind us. We are sickened by yet another type of incident like this in our country, in our city.’ 

Officials also said that a suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded beside a Dick’s Sporting Goods store. It is being investigated by the bomb squad. 

In a statement, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said: ‘This tragedy hits at the core of our community.’ Myers implored any witnesses to the shooting to come forward. 

While Indiana Senator Todd Young, a Republican, 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.’

Senator Mike Braun, also a Republican, said: ‘Praying for families of those killed in a senseless act of violence in Greenwood tonight, and grateful for the brave armed citizen who took action to stop the perpetrator and prevent further tragic loss of life.’ 

Officials also said that a suspicious backpack was found in a bathroom close to where the shooting unfolded

In a statement, Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers said: ‘This tragedy hits at the core of our community

Shoppers leave the Greenwood Park Mall on May 4, 2020, in Greenwood, Indiana, around 15 miles south of Indianapolis

One witness, Abigail, who works at the mall, told reporter Rafael Sanchez: ‘I was standing at the gate, ready to close to for the day. I heard 30 gunshots and I just saw people running towards the store. I was just letting in as many people as I could before I shut the gate.’

She added: ‘I wanted to close the gate but people kept running at me… I have three kids at home and I just wanted to get home.’