Shot fired at Wilmington shopping mall led to evacuation. What we know

A shooting at a Wilmington shopping mall led to people being evacuated from the building Saturday.

Wilmington Police said one round was fired Saturday afternoon inside Independence Mall, with a shell casing found on Saturday evening. There was no active shooter situation. Instead, the shooting was “a result of an altercation involving individuals who knew each other.”

There were no injuries reported.

Police said officers responded to Independence Mall at 2:15 p.m. for what was initially expected to be an “active shooter situation.” But police and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office determined the suspect had left.

Police evacuated and cleared the building. The mall is closed.

As of about 4 p.m., police said the mall was secure and the investigation is ongoing.

Police initially said the incident occurred just outside Independence Mall’s food court, and “one round was fired inside as well.”

On Saturday evening, police sent out another update that one shell casing wasfound inside the mall, a “short distance from the food court.” It is not clear if any, or how many, shots were fired outside the mall.

Police are asking the public to avoid Independence Mall the rest of the day. They also request tips to the main Wilmington Policenumber at 910-343-3600 or anonymously via text to 847411 with the keyword “WPDNC” or the Tip 411 app.

The StarNews reported earlier on Saturday that police had evacuated shoppers from Independence Mall after reports of shots fired. Television stations on the coast showed law enforcement officers inside the mall clearing the building.