Arundel Mills Suspect Photo Released, 1 Injured In Scramble After Shot Fired

HANOVER, MD — County police are still looking for the suspect accused of negligently firing a gun at Arundel Mills mall last weekend. Nobody was hurt by the bullet itself, but officers told Patch Tuesday that one person was injured in the ensuing scramble.

Authorities described the suspect as a Black man with dark complexion, a medium build and black hair. Police said he wore black cargo pants, a black shirt, a tan jacket and black sneakers with white soles.

Officers said he may have been armed with a black, semi-automatic handgun.

Related: Police Investigating Shots Fired At Arundel Mills Mall

Detectives are still investigating. The Anne Arundel County Police Department asked anybody with information to call (410) 222-6155. Tipsters can stay anonymous by dialing (410) 222-4700.

Authorities on Monday released this photo of the suspect.

Police said they heard about the shot fired in the Arundel Mills food court around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Officers said they found and isolated the area where the shot was fired.

The suspect appeared to be adjusting his pants when his concealed gun fired a single shot into the floor, authorities said. The bullet did not hit anybody.

Police said the suspect fled the scene alongside other mall patrons leaving the area.

One person fell during that scramble and hurt an extremity. Medics took that person to an unidentified hospital, officers said.

Authorities said medics took another mall visitor to a hospital around the same time. That person needed treatment for an unrelated medical event, however.

"Today, we saw what happens when more guns are present in our communities," County Executive Steuart Pittman said on Facebook after the shot was fired. "Families enjoying a meal in the food court at Arundel Mills experienced the terror of not knowing whether they would be the latest victims of a mass shooting. People fled, people were hurt, all because a firearm went off in a crowded public space."

Pittman also said recent U.S. Supreme Court action has hampered efforts to register guns. He thinks this makes Anne Arundel County more dangerous for residents and police. The county executive similarly accused politicians of glorifying guns to land votes.

"The result is terror," Pittman said. "I will stand with our law enforcement community and push back against this idea of promoting guns in public places. It’s dangerous and it's stupid."

The police department said it does not have a comment on Pittman's statement.

Patch National Breaking News Editor Megan VerHelst contributed reporting to this story.