MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two people were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds Thursday evening after a shooting at the Wolfchase Galleria, Memphis Police said.
MPD said Friday morning the one person detained after the shooting is a witness, and they are still investigating what happened.
Investigators said Thursday it appeared the shooting stemmed from an argument in the mall.
“I was walking up to the mall to go shopping and was told someone got shot,” said Memphis resident Robert Hughes. “It’s crazy.”
MPD Sgt. Louise Brownlee said officers responded to the shooting at 4:51 p.m.
“The shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups," Sgt. Brownlee said. "Shots were fired. We have one male detained at this time.”
One man was taken to Regional One Health in critical condition, and has since been upgraded to non-critical as of Friday morning. Another man was taken to Saint Francis Hospital by private vehicle and has since been released.
A third person, a woman, was also taken to Saint Francis after a "medical episode," MPD said.
“We’re very thankful for Bartlett (Police), the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and ATF for their quick response," Sgt. Brownlee said. "We were able to get the mall cleared very swiftly.”
The MPD sergeant also praised mall employees for doing what they were supposed to during the emergency.
“They closed their shops, as they were supposed to and exited out of the mall as they were supposed to,” Sgt. Brownlee said.
There have been 10 thefts at the Wolfchase Galleria since January 1, 2023 and there was another shooting at the mall in August 2022.
Hughes said he's not even surprised by this latest act of violence at the busy Memphis shopping mall.
“I’m used to it, it’s just crazy," Hughes said. "Can’t even go shopping in peace.”
According to MPD, the mall remained closed for the rest of Thursday night. It's currently unknown whether the shooter knew the victims.
Memphis Police, Bartlett Police and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office all responded to the scene after reports of shots fired.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.