Shots fired at St. Clair Square mall after argument between acquaintances, police say
An argument between two men led to a shooting at St. Clair Square Mall that forced the shopping center to close temporarily on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
At 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to the mall food court for reports of a disturbance, Fairview Heights Police Department stated in a news release.
Upon arrival, officers learned one of the men had a handgun and had fired gunshots just outside the food court entrance, causing an exterior window to shatter, the release stated. Both men had already fled from the area when officers arrived.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the two men were acquainted with each other and had been arguing before the shots were fired, according to police.
A search was conducted in which one of the men and a witness were found outside the main mall entrance. The man was taken into custody and transported to the Fairview Heights Police Department, but no firearm was located, police said.
The mall was locked down for about an hour and a half while police searched for the suspect who fired the gun. Police did not find the other man and believe he fled from the mall before the officers arrived, the release stated.
As of 4:30 pm, the mall had reopened. There were no injuries reported during the incident.
Police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact the department at 618-489-2100 or by leaving a tip on its website at www.fhpd.org.
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