Springfield Mall Shooting: Person Of Interest Sought

SPRINGFIELD, PA – Springfield Township Police issued details on the shooting outside the Springfield Mall that occurred Saturday afternoon.

According to police, a person of interest has been identified and four vehicles were shot – one of which had a person inside it – in the incident that unfolded at about 1:05 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.

No one was hurt in the shooting, but police said one woman was inside a vehicle that was caught in the crossfire.

The female driver was sitting in her vehicle when she heard gunshots, police said. After hearing the shots, she crouched down, opened the driver’s door and ran toward the mall. Police said her vehicle was struck by gunfire twice.

Three other vehicles were shot, two of which were parked and unoccupied. Three shots struck these vehicles.

The fourth vehicle, a silver Dodge Grand Caravan, had a rear window shot out. This vehicle was impounded and the driver is a person of interest in the case, according to police.

According to witnesses and surveillance footage, two groups of black men exchanged words inside the mall.

An altercation between the men then broke out and spilled out into the front parking lot, police said.

The two groups went to their vehicles and then started firing at one another.

Police believe there were two shooters in the incident.

After the shooting, the silver Nissan Altima exited the mall onto Sproul Road.

Police said it's unclear how the other group leaves the area.

Shell casings were recovered from the lot and the area was processed for additional evidence.

Det. Daniel McNeely is handling the investigation.

The shooting led to the mall's evacuation and closure for the day Saturday.

Image via Renee Schiavone, Patch staff