19-Year-Old Killed In Mall Of America Shooting Identified

BLOOMINGTON, MN — The 19-year-old shot and killed at the Mall of America on Friday night was identified as Johntae Raymon Hudson, of St. Paul.

Hudson died of "multiple gunshot wounds" in the mall's Nordstrom store, located at 1000 Northwest Court, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

The manner of death was "homicide," the examiner ruled.

Hudson was shot just before 7:50 p.m. Police performed life-saving measures but he died at the scene.

Ja'Nayea Hudson, who set up a GoFundMe campaign for the funeral expenses, said her brother "was the most loving and caring person to his family and friends. He radiated positive and fun energy and his smile lit up the room."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted Saturday that the mall shooting was “absolutely unacceptable. We are in touch with local officials to provide the support and resources they need.”

The shooting took place after a fight broke out between two groups in the mall, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said in a late-night news conference.

During the altercation — which happened in the mall's Nordstrom store — someone pulled out a gun and shot a teenager multiple times, according to police. The incident took place at about 7:50 p.m. and lasted about 30 seconds, authorities said.

A bystander was grazed by a bullet.

"We are going to catch you, we are going to lock you up and you are going to get an orange jumpsuit," Hodges promised hours after the shooting. "It’s just a matter of when it’s going to happen."

Arrests made

Five people were arrested in the shooting over the weekend, including two men, 18, and three 17-year-old male juveniles, the Star Tribune reported.

Friday's deadly incident marked the second shooting at the mall this year, and at least the third incident that involved a gun.

The Mall of America, which opened in 1992, is among the largest malls in the world. Each year, an estimated 40 million people from around the world visit the mall.