Braintree South Shore Plaza Shooting Related to Gang Activity: Police

BRAINTREE, MA — Panic gripped South Shore Plaza as gunshots rang out from the Macy's shoe department Friday night after who police say were two Boston gang members bumped into each other, locking down the Braintree mall and giving way to a manhunt for the two suspects.

Town officials say the altercation was an isolated incident between two "Boston gang affiliates" that resulted in at least one of them opening fire, Braintree police said. Both fled the mall. Police are now saying nobody was injured after initially saying it appeared at least one was.

"This incident appears to be related to gang activity," Braintree Police Chief Paul Shastany told reporters. "This was a happenstance occurring where people from Boston gang affiliates bumped into each other here in Braintree. Due to tensions, it escalated in a shooting."

• Arrest Made: A 23-Year-Old Taken Into Custody Early Saturday Morning

Shastany said a gun and shell casings were found on the scene and that three SWAT teams were called in to assist.

State and Braintree police searched the mall, which was on lockdown. Patrols and K-9 units are assisting in the search for the people involved. Surveillance video from the scene is being reviewed.

A 23-year-old was taken into custody early Saturday morning in connection with the shooting.

Michael J Spence Jr. was arrested Quincy without incident and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building in use. There was also a probation detainer/warrant on Spence, according to the Braintree Police Department.

South Shore Plaza is one of the biggest malls in Massachusetts, with more than 180 stores spread across the multi-floor center.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Braintree Police Department or Massachusetts State Police.

Image via Brandon Gunnoe of WHDH/7-News

Marc Torrence, Patch Staff, contributed to this report