Teenage Girl Shot At South Shore Plaza, 2 Men Arrested: Cops

BRAINTREE, MA — Two men are in custody after a shooting at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree Friday afternoon left a teenage girl injured, according to police.

The shooting occurred at some point before 5 p.m, Friday. According to police, two groups were involved in a fight before two men from the groups, one 20, and the other 21, fired at each other. Police said the girl, 15, was an innocent bystander. She was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.

According to police, the two groups that started the fight knew each other.

“We don’t believe this was a random act, said Braintree Deputy Chief Michael Want said.

The suspects fled on foot and were arrested after the mall and surrounding neighborhoods were ordered to shelter in place, police said. The victim and suspects have not yet been identified.

Authorities initially called the shooting an "active scene," as shoppers were confined to stores as the entire mall was placed on lockdown. While the lockdown remained in place until 6:30 p.m., police did not believe it was an active shooter, calling it a "targeted incident of violence."

Police Chief Mark Dubois said most shoppers were evacuated by 7 p.m. Police

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, police from surrounding towns and members of the regional MetroLEC SWAT team were also called to help evacuate and aid the investigation.

This is a breaking story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.