5 Arrested In Fatal Mall Of America Shooting

BLOOMINGTON, MN — Five people have been arrested in a shooting that killed a 19-year-old Friday at the Mall of America, Bloomington police said.

Two 18-year-old men and three male juveniles were arrested about 8:40 a.m. Saturday as authorities executed a search warrant at an apartment building in St. Louis Park, Bloomington police said.

The adults were identified as Taeshawn Adams Wright and Deandre Antioun Depratto. All five have been charged with second-degree murder, police said.

The 19-year-old was identified as Johntae Hudson of St. Paul. Ja'Nayea Hudson, who set up a GoFundMe campaign for his 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."

She told WUSA9 that her brother had gone to the mall to get a sweater to wear to a friend's birthday celebration.

Police said Hudson had been shot multiple times in the incident that happened about 7:50 p.m. Friday in Nordstrom's and prompted a lockdown at the mall. Read more: 19-Year-Old Killed In Mall Of America Shooting Friday

Police performed life-saving measures but he died at the scene.

Witnesses and video surveillance showed a group of males arguing seconds before the shooting, which lasted about 30 seconds, police said. Immediately afterward, several males were seen running from Nordstrom's, police said.

"Detectives worked around the clock to gather information on the males involved in the shooting," Bloomington police said in an update on the department's Facebook page.

Ja'Nayea Hudson told the news station her brother had been trying to get away from the groups of friends who were involved in things such as Friday night's shooting, and had plans to go to college.

SWAT team members from the St. Louis Park, Minnetonka and Edina police departments assisted Bloomington police in the arrests.

The investigation is continuing, police said, and anyone with any information related to the shooting is urged to call 952-563-4900.

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.