CONCORD, N.C. — A suspect is hospitalized in critical condition after being shot by Concord police officers at Concord Mills Mall Wednesday. Two other suspects, who weren't injured during the incident, were also arrested.
Concord police responded to the mall after a shopper called 911 saying her credit cards were stolen. The caller gave the dispatcher a description of the suspects, according to Concord police.
Responding officers confronted the suspects outside the mall, triggering a foot chase. Maj. Todd McGhee said officers chased the suspects into the mall before they led officers outside to a construction area on the property.
During the chase, one of the three suspects fired a shot at the pursuing officers, according to McGhee. The bullet struck the ground in front of the officers, police said.
The two officers returned fire striking the suspect, who was airlifted by helicopter to Atrium Health's Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte. The suspect remains in critical condition.
McGhee told reporters Wednesday the officers ordered the suspect to drop their weapon before officers fired their guns. The officers were not injured. The other two suspects were taken into custody, according to police.
On Thursday, Concord police identified two of the suspects involved. Wuanell Hernandez was charged with obtaining property by false pretenses and given a $15,000 bond. Christian Myles Tyson was also charged with obtaining property by false pretenses and given a $20,000 bond.
The suspect who was shot remains in the hospital and hasn't been named by police.
McGhee said one officer had been with the department for two years while the other officer is on active field training after joining the department within the past few months.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NC SBI) is investigating to determine whether the officers' use of their weapons met policy. The NC SBI typically reviews these actions after any officer-involved shooting.
Concord Mills Mall was closed Wednesday following the shooting. In a tweet, the mall confirmed it would be open for normal business hours on Thursday.
Other tweets posted to social media from people claiming to be inside the mall said they were sheltering in place, fearing there could have been an active shooter.
Two witnesses at the mall during the shooting told WCNC Charlotte they heard four sirens over the mall's intercom. They said someone told them to get inside a store, and that's when they hid in the back of a fitting room.
"All I was thinking about was the kids we were with and trying to help out and make sure they were OK," the witnesses said.
Shooting at Concord Mills Mall
Officials did not announce any injuries to shoppers or employees.
Police ask anyone with video of the incident to call the NC SBI 980-781-3000.
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